March against the FARC in Colombia today

[Bacchus39]

videos are becoming available. some links include http://www.eltiempo.com/ Bogota
http://www.elpais.com.co/paisonline/ Cali

looks like a great turnout, not just in Bogota but all department capitals. they are reporting 500,000 in Cali.

[Bacchus39]

1. reporting 1 million just in Bogota today.

http://www.eltiempo.com/politica/2008-02-03/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3943495.html


some blog comments with translation:

"Chávez así como usted no quiere a los estados unidos metido en su país, los colombianos no lo queremos a usted y sus mercenarios de las farc. largo de colombia farc, largo de colombia chávez y su estúpida ideología."

Chavez just as you don't want the USA to in Venezuela's affairs, Colombians don't want you and your mercenaries of the FARC. get out of Colombia FARC, out of Colombia Chavez and your stupid ideology.


"Chávez el pueblo esta gritando no mas farc, usted por que no se calla?"

Chavez, the people are shouting, "no mas FARC", why don't you shut up?"

[magbana]

2. Colombia Marches Againt FARC Criticized

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7BE052A3F6-A15E-411F-BF5E-3E5D4850E86A%7D&language=EN

Colombia Marches against FARC Criticized

Caracas, Feb 4 (Prensa Latina) Relatives of detainees by Colombian guerrilla and solidarity groups in France criticized today the government-induced marches against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who said their pain was being manipulated.

Astrid Betancourt, sister of the former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt said in statements made by phone to Venezolana de Television that the marches are not a solution for the release of detainees or for peace.

She added that it is a manipulation of hatred for FARC but not for peace in Colombia. It is a game to justify war and prevent dialogue.

The release of three former members of Congress announced here comes as a result of the mediation by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, whose mediation she considered decisive for a humanitary exchange agreement.

Relatives of detainees Eladio Perez and Gloria Polanco, who arrived today in Caracas, also criticized the marches against FARC. Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba considered the marches an expression of hatred, racism and exclusion.

Cordoba also arrived in Venezuela as part of the preps for the humanitarian operation which will convey the release of three politicians detained by the FARC.

Meanwhile, in Paris, French solidarity groups rejected today the marches promoted by the Colombian government in several cities throughout the world.

Astrid Betancourt told Prensa Latina that the marches are manipulative and distort the message that detainee relatives want to send out. Ingrid, in the hands of the FARC since 2002, said in the South American country a destructive hatred has been unleashed and the people march not in the name of our detained relatives.

Before the members of the International Federation of Ingrid Betancourt Committees, based in France, Astrid gave a press conference to clear her personal position and that of the groups that in Europe promote the release of those detained.

She said that President Alvaro Uribe looks for support in the international community in order to deny there is an armed struggle in Colombia and that he has the economic, logistic and military support of the United States.

Astrid Betancourt together with the FICIB appealed once more to French head of State, Nicolas Sarkozy, and stressed that any peaceful mediation should go through the Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

In Paris, about 200 persons gathered in the Plaza de Chatelet to express their points of view against kidnapping, terrorism and the FARC, in presence of Colombian ambassador to France, Fernando Cepeda.

The march was supposedly summoned by an independent, unknown organization, but the Colombian consulate in the French capital sent out e-mails calling to participate in the rally.

The Polo Democratico Alternativo of Colombia revealed in a release distributed in Paris, that it was threatened for his stand in favor of a humanitary accord and its rejection of war in that South American country.

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PL-35