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Farc rebels 'to release hostages' France 'to take in' Farc rebels
(about 13 hours later)
The Colombian rebel group, Farc, is set to release at least three hostages to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Cuba's official news agency has said. France has said it is willing to take in members of the Colombian rebel group, Farc, who could be freed as part of a prisoner-hostage exchange.
The French Prime Minister, Francois Fillon, spoke hours after Farc said it was ready to release three hostages.
A communique stated they would include Clara Rojas, who was kidnapped with former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt in 2002, Prensa Latina said.A communique stated they would include Clara Rojas, who was kidnapped with former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt in 2002, Prensa Latina said.
Ms Rojas's son and former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez will also be freed. It said they would be handed to the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez.
Last month, the Colombian government terminated Mr Chavez's role as mediator between the government and the rebels. Mr Fillon said the request to accommodate freed Farc rebels after a swap with hostages was made by Colombia's President, Alvaro Uribe.
President Alvaro Uribe said the Venezuelan leader had been in direct contact with Colombia's army chief, despite being told explicitly not to do so. "France has said it would be willing, along with other European and Latin American countries, to do that," he told RFI radio.
In response, Mr Chavez said he would freeze Venezuela's bilateral ties with its neighbour and close trading partner. Mr Chavez's mediation, which was praised by Mr Fillon, was ended last month by the Colombian government.
Ms Rojas is a former aide to Ms Betancourt, who holds dual French-Colombian nationality.
Ms Rojas' son, who was born in captivity, and a former congresswoman, Consuelo Gonzalez, were the other two persons to be freed.
But the Colombian peace commissioner, Luis Carlos Restrepo, said Colombia remained cautious, given that the Farc had made similar announcements in the past.
'Nice Christmas gift''Nice Christmas gift'
In a statement sent to Prensa Latina, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) said they had already given the order to release the three hostages to Mr Chavez or "whomever he opts to designate" - although it did not say when the handover would happen.In a statement sent to Prensa Latina, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) said they had already given the order to release the three hostages to Mr Chavez or "whomever he opts to designate" - although it did not say when the handover would happen.
Clara Rojas's mother has called for her and Emmanuel's releaseThe Farc also reiterated their demand that President Uribe demilitarise a large area of south-western Colombia that would serve as a "meeting point" for the proposed exchange of 45 hostages for 500 imprisoned guerrillas. Clara Rojas's mother has called for her and Emmanuel's release
The Farc also reiterated their demand that President Uribe demilitarise a large area of south-western Colombia that would serve as a "meeting point" for a larger proposed exchange, of 45 hostages for 500 imprisoned guerrillas.
The rebel group described as "unacceptable" the government's current proposal for a smaller safe zone in what it called an "inhospitable, remote and clandestine" area, according to Prensa Latina.The rebel group described as "unacceptable" the government's current proposal for a smaller safe zone in what it called an "inhospitable, remote and clandestine" area, according to Prensa Latina.
In the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, Mr Chavez confirmed the Farc had also sent him the statement about the release.In the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, Mr Chavez confirmed the Farc had also sent him the statement about the release.
"This appears to be a nice Christmas gift, especially for the families of these people," he said."This appears to be a nice Christmas gift, especially for the families of these people," he said.
'Raised by guerrillas''Raised by guerrillas'
Ms Rojas, a 44-year-old lawyer and politician, was kidnapped in February 2002 along with Ms Betancourt as she accompanied the French-Colombian national on her presidential campaign. Ms Rojas, a 44-year-old lawyer and politician, was kidnapped in February 2002 along with Ms Betancourt, a French-Colombian national, during the latter's presidential campaign.
Last year, Colombian journalist Jorge Enrique Botero said in a book that Ms Rojas had given birth to a baby boy named Emmanuel following a relationship with one of her captors.Last year, Colombian journalist Jorge Enrique Botero said in a book that Ms Rojas had given birth to a baby boy named Emmanuel following a relationship with one of her captors.
Ms Rojas's mother, Clara Gonzalez, broke down in tears when she head news of the impending releases and said she hoped it was true. Ms Rojas's mother, Clara Gonzalez, broke down in tears when she heard news of the impending releases and said she hoped it was true.
"This is the moment I have waited for... this closes the circle," she told local radio."This is the moment I have waited for... this closes the circle," she told local radio.
Ms Betancourt's mother, Yolanda Pulecio, told the Venezuelan television channel, VTV, that she was "very happy for the families of Clara and Consuelo".Ms Betancourt's mother, Yolanda Pulecio, told the Venezuelan television channel, VTV, that she was "very happy for the families of Clara and Consuelo".
"The only thing I ask the guerrillas is that they also think of my daughter, who is suffering so much," she said."The only thing I ask the guerrillas is that they also think of my daughter, who is suffering so much," she said.