Colombia's Uribe welcomes Chávez's help in hostage talks

Source: Miami Herald

Colombia's Uribe welcomes Chávez's help in hostage talks
Posted on Wed, Sep. 26, 2007
BY ALEXANDRA OLSON
Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said Wednesday he was grateful that Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez is seeking to broker a deal for the release of hostages in Colombia, but he was cautious about raising hopes for the negotiations.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Uribe stressed that a meeting expected next month between Chávez and rebel leaders would be only the latest of many efforts to free hostages held in Colombia, including three Americans. He was steadfast in refusing key rebel demands, including a New York City-sized demilitarized zone and the release of two Colombian rebels imprisoned in the U.S.

''It's difficult because everyone wants the release of hostages,'' said Uribe, who was in New York for a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly. ``I hope the rebels free the hostages at President Chávez's request. But we will express all of our gratitude to President Chávez ... whether or not the effort proves successful.''

Families of the kidnapped are optimistic Chávez could sway the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, because of the rebels' affinity for his leftist ideals. The Venezuelan president met Tuesday with relatives of three American defense contractors held by the FARC and the mother of former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian citizen.




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