Hostage daughter praises Chávez's mediation for release

[Judi Lynn]

Source: El Universal (opposition newspaper)

Caracas, Friday November 16 , 2007
Hostage daughter praises Chávez's mediation for release

Mélanie Delloye, the daughter of French-Colombian national Ingrid Betancourt who was kidnapped by the rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC), said the mediation efforts made by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez "are truly positive" for her release.

In an interview published Friday by French newspaper Métro, Delloye claimed that Chávez "is one of the best possible mediators," as he has paved the way "for establishing a contact and launch an easier dialogue" with the Colombian guerrillas, Efe quoted.

Chávez's efforts, together with the fact that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is "fully involved" in the hostage crisis are "really positive," said Betancourt's daughter, but warned that people should stay on alert and do not forget that "hostages are still held there."




Read more: http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/11/16/en_pol_art_hostage-daughter-pra_16A1199717.shtml

[Judi Lynn]

1. Colombia's Santos Hopes Chavez Can Free Hostages (Update2)

Colombia's Santos Hopes Chavez Can Free Hostages (Update2)

By Camilla Hall and Nina de Roy

Nov. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos Calderon said he hopes Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez can broker a deal to free hostages held by Marxist insurgents, while reiterating the guerillas won't be granted a safe haven.

``The FARC wants a free-zone, which is impossible,'' Santos, 46, said today in an interview in London. The vice president said that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish initials FARC, would exploit any haven to expand the drug production it uses to fund its operations.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an ally of Cuban President Fidel Castro and an opponent of U.S. President George W. Bush, began negotiations last week with FARC leaders about possible terms for the captives' release. Colombia has offered to swap 500 jailed rebels for 45 hostages, including three U.S. contractors and French Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt.

``I hope President Chavez is successful so those families can end the nightmare that the FARC has imposed on them,'' Santos said.
(snip)

Santos dismissed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's comments made last week when she said she would support a free-trade agreement with Peru while opposing pending deals with Colombia and Panama.

``We don't take into account Hillary's latest comments, as she is in a campaign,'' Santos said. ``We are in the middle of the hurricane.''
(snip)

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aEif9kNRb4Ug&refer=news