Colombia: Additional information concerning the release of four members of the police and armed forc

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia: Additional information concerning the release of four members of the police and armed forces on 1 February
Source: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Date: 06 Feb 2009
News release 33/09

Bogotá (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) would like to provide some further information concerning the handover of four members of the police and armed forces by the FARC in a rural area of Caquetá department on 1 February.

As the four men were being released, the ICRC delegates taking part in this humanitarian operation heard the sound of an aircraft flying overhead. This caused considerable tension, both at the handover location and at Villavicencio airport, where the helicopter was due to go following the handover. Since the interests of the victims and those participating in the humanitarian operation are the main priority in these situations, the delegates informed the head of the ICRC delegation in Colombia, Christophe Beney. He conveyed his concern to the Colombian defence minister, Juan Manuel Santos, and the flights ceased a few minutes later.

The ICRC, as a neutral intermediary, engages in confidential dialogue with the Colombian government, its police and armed forces, and with armed groups to obtain the necessary security guarantees for the release of hostages and detainees. On the evening of Friday 30 January, the head of the ICRC delegation in Colombia had met the defence minister, the three commanders of the armed forces, the joint chief of staff, the joint chief of operations, the deputy defence minister and the defence minister's private secretary to obtain the requisite security guarantees for a specific area in Caquetá department.

During this meeting, the ICRC and the Ministry of Defence representatives agreed in good faith that all military activity in the area would be suspended, without exception, including all military flights. In addition, any commercial planes crossing the area were to fly no lower than 20,000 feet. This agreement was the basis for the first operation on 1 February.

The ICRC is nevertheless delighted with the success of the three humanitarian operations carried out between 1 and 5 February. These operations led to the release of six people who are today reunited with their families and loved ones. The ICRC once again thanks all parties and everyone involved for their cooperation.

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/LSGZ-7P7GTA?OpenDocument

[Bacchus39]

1. its good they were released, the FARC should release all of the hostages unconditionally

I am sure we all agree on that.

[Peace Patriot]

2. So does Fidel Castro--who has repeatedly condemned FARC hostage taking.

I'm not sure who you mean by "we." But I happen to agree with it. However, I wonder what your point is in saying it. Should we not be glad that the FARC has released more hostages and is apparently still interested in peace, despite the U.S./Colombia's vicious and unnecessary bombing of the FARC's chief hostage negotiator and 25 other people last year? I am glad peace might still be a possibility. And I am glad that the FARC is still moving in that direction, by releasing hostages. I would like to see the Colombian government also release FARC prisoners, because I don't consider the narco-fascists running the Colombian government and military, with their paramilitary death squads, any more legitimate as a government, than the FARC is. One has $6 BILLION in U.S./Bushwhack military aid; the other doesn't. And the Colombia government and military is responsible for a hell of a lot more carnage than the FARC. So FARC fighters should have "prisoner of war" status. That is how peace can come about.

And peace--and the end of this 40+ year civil war--should be the goal. I am sure we all agree on that.

[Bacchus39]

3. I would hope "we" means everyone.

and the FARC certainly is not a government. The Colombian government is the one Colombians chose. You may not like it, but that is their government, your opinion not withstanding.

I am somewhat puzzled by the lack of concern for the plight of the Awa indians though. It seems the outrage here is only reserved for atrocities and crimes committed by the government or paras. when the FARC commits them, no condemnation for the acts, or sympathy for the victims is expressed. rather hypocritical if not inhumane in my opinion.

[Peace Patriot]

7. Colombia's election system is a fascist-run travesty.

Bullying, intimidation and murder are routinely employed against candidates, political activists and voters opposed to the narco-state. No vote counts and no polls coming out of Colombia can be trusted. And, in view of the success of the left everywhere else in South America, where the voting systems have been certified as fair and aboveboard by international election monitors, it is reasonable to assume that the majority of Colombians, who are extremely poor, would not want to be ruled by fascists and death squads, if they really had a fair chance to express their wishes.

[rabs]

4. Have you heard of journalist Hollman Morris?

He is one of the top investigative journalists in Colombia. This week Uribe practically pronounced a death sentence for him.

His sin; Morris was at the scene where the FARC turned over three police and a soldier over to the Red Cross last weekend.

For that, Uribe accused him of being an "accomplice" (of the FARC) and of being "a friend of terrorism." That for all practical purposes is tagging a bulls-eye on Morris for the paras.

Here is the background: (Sorry if it already has been posted but just in case)

http://www.counterpunch.org/morris02092009.html

Youtube interview not recent)with Morris. There are more to the right.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw6HQflZMz0

[Judi Lynn]

5. Just looked in to see if there was something new, and saw your post.

I've heard that Uribe has done this repeatedly to people he wants out of the way.

Will be back later tonight to study what you've linked here, and I want to thank you for taking the time to share it with us. As you've probably noticed so long ago, we learn very, VERY little regarding South America unless we get lucky. This definitely puts us ahead.

Looking forward to reading this interview, "The Threat of Peace in Colombia."

Thanks, rabs, so much.

[Judi Lynn]

6. That interview was excellent. Not a bit surprised, either, to learn bogus e-mails

were floated from Juan Manuel Santos' office in an attempt to frame her as a FARC stooge. How old is THAT stunt? How overused? My God.

I really hope other DU'ers will see that very manageble interview, too. Eye-opening.

Appreciated the You Tube of Morris, as well. Looked around through some of the choices on the right, started focusing on the ones about Jaime Garzon, who was killed after paramilitaries from Carlos Castanos' evil organization set him up by phone, then rode up beside him in his car, on motorcycles and murdered him as he attempted to drive to the meeting spot where they told him to be.

Clearly he wasn't beloved by Uribe, was he? I liked the videos showing this guy. He was truly courageous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FCkfEop2cs&NR=1

Glad you opened the door to You Tube: I hadn't really thought enough about using it as a reference site nearly enough, having it incorrectly labeled in my subconscious as an "entertainment" site. So glad to be able to use it now.