Release of hostages
Bogota rejects Chavez’s offer on mediate
Friday, September 14, 2007
MADRID • Colombia's foreign minister yesterday rejected an offer by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to come to the country and mediate a possible release of hostages held by leftist rebels there.
"The Colombian government will not accept the Venezuelan president coming to Colombia" to mediate with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Fernando Araujo said during a visit to Madrid.
On Monday, he had warned European states against offering "ideological concessions" to FARC, which is on the EU's list of terrorist organisations.
Chavez offered last Sunday to mediate with FARC leader Manuel Marulanda in an attempt to win the release of hostages held by the group, if Colombian President Alvaro Uribe gave authorisation.
He said he was ready to do it in the Colombian jungle. Chavez and Uribe met earlier this month near Bogota to discuss a proposed swap of 45 FARC-held hostages for 500 imprisoned rebels. Uribe suggested Chavez meet a FARC representative in Venezuela to discuss resolving the impasse.
