U.S. Nixes Colombia Rebels' Hostage Swap

[maddezmom]

June 27, 2005, 8:14 PM EDT


BOGOTA, Colombia -- Colombia's main leftist rebel group offered on Monday to swap three kidnapped American defense contractors for two guerrilla leaders jailed in the United States, but the U.S. government immediately rejected the proposal.

It was the first time the rebels have expressed a willingness to deal directly with U.S. authorities, but the United States said it won't negotiate with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which the U.S. has blacklisted as a terrorist organization.

Tom Howes, Marc Gonsalves and Keith Stansell were captured on Feb. 13, 2003, after their small plane crashed in a rebel stronghold in southern Colombia while on an anti-drug mission. The rebels allegedly killed a fourth American and a Colombian soldier who also were on the plane.

"The FARC has informed the U.S. government and the State Department that it's willing to open discussions," Raul Reyes, a spokesman for the group, known as the FARC, told Noticias Uno television.

more: http://www.nynewsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/sns-ap-colombia-american-hostages,0,3220925.story?coll=nyc-nationhome-headlines

[Oversea Visitor]

1. Then they are deadmeat.

[ugarte]

2. I'm sure their relatives are comforted

by the great concern of the U.S. Gov for their loved ones.

U.S. foreign policy in a nutshell: use 'em and screw 'em.