Colombia: Medical mission for hostages OK'd

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia: Medical mission for hostages OK'd
Aim is to treat hostages sick after years in jungle camps

MSNBC News Services
updated 41 minutes ago

BOGOTA, Colombia - Colombia's president said Tuesday he has agreed to a French request to let an international mission try to meet with hostages held by leftist rebels.

President Alvaro Uribe said Tuesday that the mission would try "to protect the deteriorating health of the hostages" held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

At least one of the hostages, French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, is said to be gravely ill after six years in captivity.

Uribe, speaking after a conversation with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, said Colombia would halt military operations in the area once the mission provides coordinates where it will treat hostages who are sick after years in jungle camps.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23904451/