Colombian Rebels Admit to Kidnapping

[LastDemInIdaho]

BOGOTA, Colombia - The second-largest rebel group in Colombia said Monday it was holding seven foreign backpackers kidnapped this month from an archaeological site in the mountains. It was the first claim of responsibility for the abduction.

The group, which along with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, has been battling the Colombian government for four decades, also condemned the military operation under way to hunt for the kidnapped tourists. It warned President Alvaro Uribe that he will be to blame if the hostages are harmed.

"In the case of lamentable acts that could occur because of the presence, or the actions, of the army and paramilitary groups in the area, President Uribe would be held personally responsible," the ELN said.

The group of eight backpackers — four Israelis, two Britons, a German and a Spaniard — was abducted by gunmen on Sept. 12 from the Lost City archaeological ruins in the snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountains. One of the Britons, 19-year-old Matthew Scott, escaped days later by hurling himself down a precipice.

The FARC, the biggest left-wing rebel group, was initially blamed, but it denied involvement. On Friday, Uribe accused the ELN and demanded it free the backpackers.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=589&ncid=734&e=1&u=/ap/20030929/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/colombia_kidnapped_tourists