- Title: COLOMBIA: Colombia asks FARC to speed up hostage release
- Date: 31st December 2008
- Summary: GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAPERSON (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIAN HIGH PEACE COMMISSIONER, LUIS CARLOS RESTREPO, SAYING: "Of course we are also worried that this will turn into a drawn out process, and we will become drawn into a kind of soap opera with endless episodes. We believe that is not what the country wants."
- Embargoed: 15th January 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Colombia
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAAXRTPS9KYN72DSQQWKJEZESP6
- Story Text: Colombia wants the FARC rebels to speed up the liberation of six hostages from their jungle camps they had promised to release.
Colombia's High Commissioner for Peace Luis Carlos Restrepo said on Tuesday (December 30) the Colombian government would offer security guarantees so hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia can be handed over to the International Red Cross.
"We will provide all the known guarantees, once they let us know the exact location where the liberation will take place. The Colombian Armed Forces will suspend their operations on an area previously established with the International Red Cross, so that the liberation can go forward without any setbacks," he said.
The FARC said almost two weeks ago it was planning to release two kidnapped politicians and four members of the armed forces, but has yet to define when, how and where the handover will take place.
Restrepo said the government would not tolerate any stalling on the release by the Marxist rebels, who are labeled terrorist by the United States.
"Of course we are also worried that this will turn into a drawn out process, and we will become drawn into a kind of soap opera with endless episodes. We believe that is not what the country wants," he said.
The FARC said in its news release that three police officers and one soldier will be freed first, followed by former state governor Alan Jara and local lawmaker Siguifredo Lopez, both of whom have been held for more than six years.
Once a mighty army controlling large parts of Colombia, the FARC has been battered this year by the desertions, the deaths of three commanders and the rescue of key hostages, including French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt.
Attempts to negotiate a deal to free at least 28 high-profile hostages in rebel hands have been stalled over a FARC demand Uribe demilitarize a safe haven. Uribe refuses, but offers talks under international observation. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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