Clara Rojas freed by FARC; Ingrid Betancourt next?

[monsieur]

The great news seen and heard on the media services across the continents last night and this morning that Farc had released Clara Rojas, French-Colombian, Ingrid Betancourt's former election asistant and the Colombian Senator Gonzales. These two women had been held in deplorable conditions for the past six years in the jungles of Colombia and had suffered greatly in being deprived of their freedom not to forget the suffering inflicted on their familes also.ugo Chavez of Venezuela had played a major role in sending his helicopters into Colombia as soon as FARC had given details on the 'coordinates'..... after many delays over Christmas and the New Year.

Now the question is: when will Ingrid Betancourt be released? Her daughter, Melanie, has been in Ireland to receive an honorary citizenship from South County Dublin Council on behalf of her mother. Her husband has been in Ireland also meeting Irish parlementarians.

What can we do in Ireland to bring about Ingrid Betancourt's freedom?

see betancourt.info (input from Ireland in English and Irish)

[prof de francais]

Hopefully FARC will do the decent thing and release Ingrid Betancourt, the French -Colombian politician now held nearly 6 years in the jungle. OK she is their trump card but her family fear for her health; a recent photo showed her thin and looking very depressed as she sat chained to a chair in the jungle.

It has been acknowledged that whatever ideology FARC had 40 years ago has been lost through their refusal to move on politically. The lure of huge money from overseeing cocaine production is too strong.
AT least 2 women are free which is a start.
Prof de francais

[Catalpa]

Its wrong and immoral for FARC to do this and hopefully she will be released in the near future.

But is it not the case that the Columbian Government holds many prisoners too as 'bargaining chips'?

[kim chi]

M Chavez of Venezuela had played a major role in sending his helicopters into Colombia as soon as FARC had given details on the 'coordinates'..... after many delays over Christmas and the New Year.

What can we do in Ireland to bring about Ingrid Betancourt's freedom?

It's H Chavez (for Hugo) not M Chavez.

And I lost my respect for this man when I read that he exhorted the media and other countries to stop labelling the FARC as "terrorists". The fact is that the FARC is the largest narcoterrorist conspiracy ever to exist. After 40 years in operation they run a multi-million dollar operation, one that is characterized by great cruelty and no idealism. They are not an inch nearer to taking over Colombia than they were 40 years ago. They are mass murderers, and have no support among the Colombian working class.

And Catalpa, it is most certainly not the case that the Colombian government holds people as bargaining chips. Where did you hear that rubbish?

[soubresauts]

It has been acknowledged that whatever ideology FARC had 40 years ago has been lost through their refusal to move on politically. The lure of huge money from overseeing cocaine production is too strong.

And who's paying them huge money?

Answer: The great and the good of Irish society, and western society in general.

[clareman51]

Two released. Only another 500 more to go.

[Thac0man]

Two released. Only another 500 more to go.

My sentiments exactly.

[Zyklon B]

It has been acknowledged that whatever ideology FARC had 40 years ago has been lost through their refusal to move on politically. The lure of huge money from overseeing cocaine production is too strong.

And who's paying them huge money?

Answer: The great and the good of Irish society, and western society in general.

Cripes! This is all Katy French's fault!

[monsieur]

That's not funny..........please take this matter seriously. This thread is not a contribution to British or Irish tabloid writing where comprehension of the joined up type is not required.

Look at the most recent picture of Ingrid in the jungle and read some of the comments made by Clara on her release..... in the next few days she will be reunited with her baby.

All this perhaps may be read in more vivid tones on Spanish language websites re this news item....also in French (because of Ingrid's dual citizenship)

May I ask you also to respect the integrity of the 175 who've read this thread to date and the contributors ......

[Europa1]

And I lost my respect for this man when I read that he exhorted the media and other countries to stop labelling the FARC as "terrorists". The fact is that the FARC is the largest narcoterrorist conspiracy ever to exist.

Nobody is fooled either by Hugo Chavez or FARC agenda in releasing Clara and Consuelo, however, these two women are free and it is the first time FARC release prisoners unconditionally and unilaterally. This gives us hope of freedom for the other prisoners. Let’s rejoice for now and hope for the liberation of more hostages.