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Colombian hostages freed by Farc Colombian hostages freed by Farc
(about 1 hour later)
Four hostages held by Colombian left-wing Farc rebels have been released, in a deal brokered by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.Four hostages held by Colombian left-wing Farc rebels have been released, in a deal brokered by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
The hostages arrived in Venezuela after being handed over to a delegation sent by Mr Chavez at an undisclosed location in the Colombian jungle.The hostages arrived in Venezuela after being handed over to a delegation sent by Mr Chavez at an undisclosed location in the Colombian jungle.
They then flew on to the capital Caracas where relatives are waiting. They then flew on to the capital Caracas to be welcome by relatives.
Farc says it will not free more hostages until Colombia creates a demilitarised zone for peace talks.Farc says it will not free more hostages until Colombia creates a demilitarised zone for peace talks.
It hopes to swap some 40 remaining high-profile hostages it still holds for rebels in state jails.It hopes to swap some 40 remaining high-profile hostages it still holds for rebels in state jails.
Firm stanceFirm stance
The hostages, all former members of Congress, are Luis Eladio Perez, Gloria Polanco, Orlando Beltran and Jorge Gechem.The hostages, all former members of Congress, are Luis Eladio Perez, Gloria Polanco, Orlando Beltran and Jorge Gechem.
I don't know what I am going to say to him, because it is going to be such a happy moment - I always waited for him and I always fought for him Lucy GechemHostage's wife Hand of Chavez evident The four were handed over to Venezuelan and Colombian politicians and Red Cross personnel, who had arrived in the jungle on two helicopters to collect them.I don't know what I am going to say to him, because it is going to be such a happy moment - I always waited for him and I always fought for him Lucy GechemHostage's wife Hand of Chavez evident The four were handed over to Venezuelan and Colombian politicians and Red Cross personnel, who had arrived in the jungle on two helicopters to collect them.
Video footage showed the hostages appearing, raising their hands in the air and embracing officials sent to pick them up.Video footage showed the hostages appearing, raising their hands in the air and embracing officials sent to pick them up.
Venezuelan government spokesman Jesse Chacon said Mr Chavez had already spoken by phone to the released hostages.Venezuelan government spokesman Jesse Chacon said Mr Chavez had already spoken by phone to the released hostages.
Mr Chacon said he hoped the release "will help us continue advancing on the path to achieving liberations of the remainder and of course to what we all yearn for: peace in Colombia".Mr Chacon said he hoped the release "will help us continue advancing on the path to achieving liberations of the remainder and of course to what we all yearn for: peace in Colombia".
The helicopters took the hostages back to Venezuela, where they were transferred onto private planes for the flight on to Caracas.The helicopters took the hostages back to Venezuela, where they were transferred onto private planes for the flight on to Caracas.
COLOMBIAN HOSTAGES Gloria Polanco: Former congresswoman, 42, kidnapped in 2001Luis Eladio Perez: Former senator, 50, kidnapped in 2001Orlando Beltran: Former congressman, 50, kidnapped in 2001Jorge Gechem: Former congressman, 57, kidnapped in 2002 Q: Colombia hostagesThe rebels: A fading force?COLOMBIAN HOSTAGES Gloria Polanco: Former congresswoman, 42, kidnapped in 2001Luis Eladio Perez: Former senator, 50, kidnapped in 2001Orlando Beltran: Former congressman, 50, kidnapped in 2001Jorge Gechem: Former congressman, 57, kidnapped in 2002 Q: Colombia hostagesThe rebels: A fading force?
Among relatives waiting in Venezuela's capital, Mr Gechem's wife Lucy was emotional when she heard the news.Among relatives waiting in Venezuela's capital, Mr Gechem's wife Lucy was emotional when she heard the news.
"I don't know what I am going to say to him, because it is going to be such a happy moment," she told local radio. "I always waited for him and I always fought for him.""I don't know what I am going to say to him, because it is going to be such a happy moment," she told local radio. "I always waited for him and I always fought for him."
Ties between Colombia and Venezuela have been strained in recent months.Ties between Colombia and Venezuela have been strained in recent months.
But last month, Mr Chavez helped broker a deal to free two hostages, Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzalez, who were picked up by Venezuelan helicopters from Colombian territory and flown on to Caracas to be reunited with their waiting families.But last month, Mr Chavez helped broker a deal to free two hostages, Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzalez, who were picked up by Venezuelan helicopters from Colombian territory and flown on to Caracas to be reunited with their waiting families.
The release will raise hopes that more hostages might be freed, among them French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three US defence contractors.The release will raise hopes that more hostages might be freed, among them French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three US defence contractors.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said it was a "powerful encouragement" in the task of freeing the remaining captives. One of the freed hostages, Luis Eladio Perez, said Ms Betancourt was in "extremely tough straits".
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Wednesday's release was a "powerful encouragement" in the task of freeing the remaining captives.
US state department spokesman Tom Casey welcomed the move, but said it was "reprehensible" that the Farc was continuing to hold hostages.US state department spokesman Tom Casey welcomed the move, but said it was "reprehensible" that the Farc was continuing to hold hostages.
Pressure for concessionsPressure for concessions
The rebels have long wanted to exchange their high-profile hostages for hundreds of jailed guerrillas.The rebels have long wanted to exchange their high-profile hostages for hundreds of jailed guerrillas.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has maintained a firm stance against the Farc, which is regarded as a terrorist group by the US and the European Union.Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has maintained a firm stance against the Farc, which is regarded as a terrorist group by the US and the European Union.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin, Colombia, says that with the release, the pressure on Mr Uribe to make concessions to the Farc will increase.The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin, Colombia, says that with the release, the pressure on Mr Uribe to make concessions to the Farc will increase.
But Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday that the Farc was using its calls for dialogue to gain political space and discredit the government.But Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday that the Farc was using its calls for dialogue to gain political space and discredit the government.
Farc rebels are also thought to be holding several hundred other hostages, many of whom were taken for ransom to help fund rebel operations.Farc rebels are also thought to be holding several hundred other hostages, many of whom were taken for ransom to help fund rebel operations.