This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6268396.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Colombia hostages in video appeal | Colombia hostages in video appeal |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Colombian rebels have released a video showing seven hostages, some held for nearly a decade, pleading for the government to talk to their captors. | Colombian rebels have released a video showing seven hostages, some held for nearly a decade, pleading for the government to talk to their captors. |
The video of the captured police officers and soldiers is believed to have been filmed several months ago. | |
It surfaced a week after rebels said 11 kidnapped politicians were killed when troops attacked a guerrilla camp. | |
President Alvaro Uribe, who accused the rebels of murdering the men, is to lead anti-kidnap protests on Thursday. | President Alvaro Uribe, who accused the rebels of murdering the men, is to lead anti-kidnap protests on Thursday. |
In the video, which was delivered to Holman Morris, the Colombia correspondent of al-Jazeera and Radio France Internationale, the hostages urge the government to talk to the rebels and not attempt a military rescue. | In the video, which was delivered to Holman Morris, the Colombia correspondent of al-Jazeera and Radio France Internationale, the hostages urge the government to talk to the rebels and not attempt a military rescue. |
This tears my soul apart, (to see him) in these conditions, so thin, poor boy Gustavo Moncayo Father of hostage Pablo Emilio | This tears my soul apart, (to see him) in these conditions, so thin, poor boy Gustavo Moncayo Father of hostage Pablo Emilio |
One of the men, soldier William Dominguez, also tells how he had shared camps with the former presidential candidate, French-Colombian national Ingrid Betancourt. | One of the men, soldier William Dominguez, also tells how he had shared camps with the former presidential candidate, French-Colombian national Ingrid Betancourt. |
She was kidnapped in 2002 along with her assistant Clara Rojas by guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). | She was kidnapped in 2002 along with her assistant Clara Rojas by guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). |
"I ended up in a camp where there are more prisoners of war, with hostage politicians, like Ingrid, Mrs Clara and a boy who is always with them," Mr Dominguez said. | "I ended up in a camp where there are more prisoners of war, with hostage politicians, like Ingrid, Mrs Clara and a boy who is always with them," Mr Dominguez said. |
This may refer to a child Ms Rojas is believed to have had with one of her rebel captors. | This may refer to a child Ms Rojas is believed to have had with one of her rebel captors. |
Mr Dominguez said he and his fellow hostages are moved on an almost daily basis to avoid military attacks. | Mr Dominguez said he and his fellow hostages are moved on an almost daily basis to avoid military attacks. |
Father's protest | Father's protest |
The father of soldier Pablo Emilio Moncayo, seized nine years ago, said the video was extremely distressing. | |
"This tears my soul apart, [to see him] in these conditions, so thin, poor boy and I unable to anything," he said. | "This tears my soul apart, [to see him] in these conditions, so thin, poor boy and I unable to anything," he said. |
Mr Moncayo has been walking across Colombia in chains in an effort to pressure the guerrillas and the authorities to reach an agreement to free the hostages. | Mr Moncayo has been walking across Colombia in chains in an effort to pressure the guerrillas and the authorities to reach an agreement to free the hostages. |
Last week, the Farc said 11 politicians held hostage for five years died in crossfire during a military raid on a guerrilla camp in the Valle del Cauca region | Last week, the Farc said 11 politicians held hostage for five years died in crossfire during a military raid on a guerrilla camp in the Valle del Cauca region |
The politicians' deaths have sparked anti-kidnapping protests | The politicians' deaths have sparked anti-kidnapping protests |
The Colombian government denied that any military operation had taken place in the area and accused the guerrillas of killing the men in cold blood. | The Colombian government denied that any military operation had taken place in the area and accused the guerrillas of killing the men in cold blood. |
On Tuesday, Mr Uribe condemned the rebels for refusing to release the politicians' bodies. | On Tuesday, Mr Uribe condemned the rebels for refusing to release the politicians' bodies. |
The rebels say they will not hand over the corpses until the military withdraws from the region. | The rebels say they will not hand over the corpses until the military withdraws from the region. |
However, news of the politicians' deaths has provoked revulsion across Colombia and nationwide protests, marches and church services are planned on Thursday to demonstrate against all kidnappings. | However, news of the politicians' deaths has provoked revulsion across Colombia and nationwide protests, marches and church services are planned on Thursday to demonstrate against all kidnappings. |
The European Union on Wednesday condemned the loss of life and called for a full and impartial investigation into the killing of the politicians. The EU also appealed for a new humanitarian agreement between the government and the rebels to ensure the safe release of hostages. | |
The Farc, which has been fighting the Colombian state for decades, is believed to be holding more than 50 hostages. | |
At the start of June, the Colombian government began freeing imprisoned rebels aimed at convincing the guerrillas to reciprocate. | At the start of June, the Colombian government began freeing imprisoned rebels aimed at convincing the guerrillas to reciprocate. |
But Farc leaders insist they will only discuss the possibilities of a prisoner exchange if and when the government grants a safe haven as a venue for talks - a request repeatedly rejected by Mr Uribe. | But Farc leaders insist they will only discuss the possibilities of a prisoner exchange if and when the government grants a safe haven as a venue for talks - a request repeatedly rejected by Mr Uribe. |
Previous version
1
Next version