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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| France to send Betancourt mission | France to send Betancourt mission |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The French president has said he plans to send a humanitarian mission to Colombia to treat a high-profile hostage held by Farc rebels. | The French president has said he plans to send a humanitarian mission to Colombia to treat a high-profile hostage held by Farc rebels. |
| Nicolas Sarkozy also appealed directly to the left-wing group's leader, urging the release of Ingrid Betancourt. | Nicolas Sarkozy also appealed directly to the left-wing group's leader, urging the release of Ingrid Betancourt. |
| He said Miss Betancourt, held in the Colombian jungle for six years, was "in danger of imminent death". | He said Miss Betancourt, held in the Colombian jungle for six years, was "in danger of imminent death". |
| Colombia's president has said he will suspend military operations in any area where the mission plans to travel. | Colombia's president has said he will suspend military operations in any area where the mission plans to travel. |
| Mr Uribe said the French mission, which would be accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross, had his full backing. | Mr Uribe said the French mission, which would be accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross, had his full backing. |
| Ready and waiting | Ready and waiting |
| "We have expressed our complete agreement to allow this international medical mission to make contact with the hostages and treat them," he said. | "We have expressed our complete agreement to allow this international medical mission to make contact with the hostages and treat them," he said. |
| The French president's office said over the weekend that a medically equipped plane is on stand-by to evacuate Ms Betancourt if she is released. | The French president's office said over the weekend that a medically equipped plane is on stand-by to evacuate Ms Betancourt if she is released. |
| INGRID BETANCOURT Ingrid Betancourt before her kidnap (left) and several years later (right) Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels Profile: Ingrid Betancourt | |
| The BBC's Jeremy McDermott reports from Colombia that there is as yet no indication from Farc that they are ready to give up their most high-profile hostage. | The BBC's Jeremy McDermott reports from Colombia that there is as yet no indication from Farc that they are ready to give up their most high-profile hostage. |
| He says that the recent killing of the group's chief negotiator was described by the rebels as a "grave blow". | He says that the recent killing of the group's chief negotiator was described by the rebels as a "grave blow". |
| In his televised appeal, Mr Sarkozy addressed Farc rebel leader Manuel Marulanda by name, saying Ms Betancourt was believed to be seriously ill. | In his televised appeal, Mr Sarkozy addressed Farc rebel leader Manuel Marulanda by name, saying Ms Betancourt was believed to be seriously ill. |
| "Only a decision from you to save this woman from death is needed... Take this decision. Free Ingrid Betancourt," he said in the broadcast. | "Only a decision from you to save this woman from death is needed... Take this decision. Free Ingrid Betancourt," he said in the broadcast. |
| Last week France offered to take in Farc rebels released from prison in exchange for the 46-year-old woman, who has been held in the jungle since she was seized. | Last week France offered to take in Farc rebels released from prison in exchange for the 46-year-old woman, who has been held in the jungle since she was seized. |
| Ms Betancourt, who holds both French and Colombian nationality, has been held in the jungle since 2002 when she was campaigning as a candidate for the Colombian presidency. | Ms Betancourt, who holds both French and Colombian nationality, has been held in the jungle since 2002 when she was campaigning as a candidate for the Colombian presidency. |
| As well as hepatitis B, she is said to have a tropical skin disease and was pictured looking thin and frail in a recent video. | As well as hepatitis B, she is said to have a tropical skin disease and was pictured looking thin and frail in a recent video. |
| Her case has drawn broad international attention for years and in particular in France, as she holds French nationality acquired through her marriage to a French national. | Her case has drawn broad international attention for years and in particular in France, as she holds French nationality acquired through her marriage to a French national. |
| Her former husband has said he fears she may be dying or already dead. | Her former husband has said he fears she may be dying or already dead. |