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France 'could take Farc rebels' France 'could take Farc rebels'
(about 8 hours later)
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has said France would be willing to take Farc rebels as part of a deal to free hostages held by the guerrillas.Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has said France would be willing to take Farc rebels as part of a deal to free hostages held by the guerrillas.
The plan aims to secure the release of scores of hostages held in Farc jungle camps, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.The plan aims to secure the release of scores of hostages held in Farc jungle camps, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.
The offer comes amid reports that Ms Betancourt, a French-Colombian citizen, is gravely ill.The offer comes amid reports that Ms Betancourt, a French-Colombian citizen, is gravely ill.
She is said to have hepatitis B and a tropical skin disease.She is said to have hepatitis B and a tropical skin disease.
On Saturday, Mr Betancourt's former husband said he feared she might no longer be alive.On Saturday, Mr Betancourt's former husband said he feared she might no longer be alive.
"I am afraid that Ingrid Betancourt is either dying or already dead," Fabrice Delloye told the AFP news agency. "I am afraid that Ingrid Betancourt is either dying or already dead," Fabrice Delloye told AFP news agency.
Exchange dealExchange deal
The president was visiting San Jose de Guaviare, the capital of the jungle province in the east of the country where the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, have released six hostages during this year and where Ms Betancourt is believed to be held. President Uribe was visiting San Jose de Guaviare, the capital of the jungle province in the east of the country where the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, have released six hostages this year and where Ms Betancourt is believed to be held.
He announced the establishment of a $100 million fund for any information leading to the whereabouts of the hostages. He announced the establishment of a $100m fund for any information leading to the whereabouts of the hostages.
The Farc has been involved in conflict in Colombia for decades The Farc has been involved in conflict in Colombia for decadesMr Uribe urged Farc fighters to accept his offer of cash rewards and reduced jail terms for abandoning rebel ranks and releasing kidnap victims.
Mr Uribe urged Farc fighters to accept his offer of cash rewards and reduced jail terms for abandoning rebel ranks and releasing kidnap victims.
"People have asked me, can they [Farc rebels] also go overseas? Yes, they can go overseas and we will help in that matter," he said."People have asked me, can they [Farc rebels] also go overseas? Yes, they can go overseas and we will help in that matter," he said.
"We have spoken to the French government, which has told us it would be willing to take them in over there," the president added. "We have spoken to the French government, which has told us it would be willing to take them in over there."
Earlier this week, Colombia also offered to release jailed Farc rebels if they first hand over Ms Betancourt and other hostages.Earlier this week, Colombia also offered to release jailed Farc rebels if they first hand over Ms Betancourt and other hostages.
The Farc, which has been fighting the Colombian state for five decades, is yet to respond to the proposal.The Farc, which has been fighting the Colombian state for five decades, is yet to respond to the proposal.
Analysist say the promise of exile in France could be attractive to anybody wanting to turn themselves in, since the Farc has a policy of hunting down and killing deserters
Betancourt campaignBetancourt campaign
Ms Betancourt, 46, is the most high-profile of the scores of hostages held in the jungle by Farc. She was abducted during Colombia's presidential campaign in 2002.Ms Betancourt, 46, is the most high-profile of the scores of hostages held in the jungle by Farc. She was abducted during Colombia's presidential campaign in 2002.
She was pictured in a recent video, looking thin and frail.She was pictured in a recent video, looking thin and frail.
There has been an international campaign for her release, with the presidents of France and Venezuela among those calling for her release.There has been an international campaign for her release, with the presidents of France and Venezuela among those calling for her release.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez played a key role in negotiating the release of 10 hostages in January and February.Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez played a key role in negotiating the release of 10 hostages in January and February.
But such developments ended when a Colombian strike on a rebel camp across the border in Ecuador angered the government in Quito and its Venezuelan allies.But such developments ended when a Colombian strike on a rebel camp across the border in Ecuador angered the government in Quito and its Venezuelan allies.