Rebel leader imprisoned
Colombia Rebel Wants to Stay in U.S.
By Anabelle Garay, Associated Press Writer
Friday, October 5, 2007
Fort Worth, Texas (AP) --A Colombian rebel leader imprisoned in the U.S. does not want to be an obstacle in negotiations for the release of three Americans held hostage by her leftist group, offering to be left out of any prisoner swap, a Colombian lawmaker involved in the talks said Thursday.
Nayibe "Sonia" Rojas was convicted of masterminding the smuggling of cocaine to the U.S. and Europe to earn money for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and is detained at the Federal Medical Center Carswell, which is inside Texas military base.
FARC leaders are demanding that she and another imprisoned Colombian rebel be included in any prisoner swap they have with the Colombian government.
Talks with leaders of Colombia's largest rebel group have been postponed while mediators study the legal implications of the possible release of rebels in U.S. custody, said Colombian Sen. Piedad Cordoba, who visited Rojas in prison.
Rojas said she is living under better conditions than the 50 people in FARC custody, which includes three U.S. defense contractors, Cordoba said.
The rebel leader said she can sometimes talk to her family and can receive photos of them while those being held in the jungle don't have those opportunities, according to Cordoba, who wiped away tears after walking out of the prison.
To ensure FARC brokers a deal, Rojas would prefer remain at the Texas prison, the visiting senator said. She also said her leaders should also leave FARC rebel Ricardo Palmera out of any deal. Palmera was convicted in the hostage-taking conspiracy of the three Americans.
Rojas doesn't see an agreement being brokered because Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said Wednesday that he opposes any measure that would allow the return of the two high-ranking rebels to Columbia.
Cordoba, who is trying to facilitate a deal, plans to meet next week with Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. The Colombian lawmaker has the support of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in trying to work out an accord and has served as an envoy for him.
Relatives of three U.S. defense contractors being held by Colombian rebels have traveled to Venezuela to urge Chavez to work for their loved ones' release.
Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell and Tom Howes have been held by Colombia's largest rebel group since their small plane went down in the country's southern jungles during a surveillance mission in February 2003.
The three Northrop Grumman Corp. contractors are among about hostages who, if the two sides manage to reach a deal, could be exchanged for rebel prisoners in Colombian jails.
