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Colombia: Military confrontation continues

March 3, 2008
In late February Colombian guerillas unilaterally released 4 ex-parliamentarians, three men - Luis Eladio Perez, Orlando Beltran and Jorge Eduardo Gechem and one woman - Gloria Polanco de Lozada.

The humanitarian mission on their evacuation from the Colombian selva was carried out through the mediation of Venezuela. It is a big diplomatic victory of the Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, who, just a month before, already managed to have two women-politicians freed.

At the press-conference in Caracas happy Colombians thanked the Venezuelan people, president Hugo Chavez and Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba, thanks to whom they got a «chance to a new life».

Luis Eladio Perez, 50 years old, was abducted on October 6, 2001. At that time he was a member of the Senate Commission on international affairs. Orlando Beltran, 49, was abducted on August 28, 2001 during his trip around the department of Huila, the representative of which he was in the Congress. Jorge Eduardo Gechem Turbay, 56, was abducted on February 20, 2002 when guerillas hijacked a commercial aircraft. Gloria Polanco de Lozada was kidnapped right from her own flat along with two teenage boys, who, thanks to the efforts of her husband, three years later were released, allegedly, for money. Senator Jaime Lozada was killed during the guerilla attack in December 2005.

It is not possible to overstate the tragedy that these people lived through. There is no doubt that abduction of people is an act of terrorism. Perez said exactly like that: FARC is a political grouping that uses the terrorist methods, and called for guerillas not to use abduction as a means of struggle. In his turn Orlando Beltran added that members of FARC already understood that abductions were useless and they discontinued that practice.

The released politicians have stated that they come out with suggestions to the government of Colombia on bilateral solution of the problems of hostages, who should be exchanged as prisoners of war in full correspondence with Geneva conventions. According to Perez, Ingrid Betancourt, who ran for president of Colombia in the period of her abduction six years ago, is of the same opinion.

Betancourt has the second, French, citizenship. N. Sarkozy himself, president of France, intercedes for her liberation. At present Ingrid is seriously ill.

The freed Colombian congressmen said that they were returning back to their country to fight for peaceful, political solution of inner military conflict, for soonest liberation of all hostages.

It goes without saying that liberation of the six hostages suggested an optimistic idea to the relatives of other hostages and prisoners. Alas! The optimism was premature. On Saturday of March 1, mass media reported the death of Raul Reyes (59, whose actual name is Luis Edgar Devia), the man who was an «external» representative of guerilla detachments, all negotiations on peace and liberation of people were carried out through him.

On the night of March 1 the Colombian federal troops, supported by the US armed forces, carried out a special operation, during which they destroyed by bombing the camp, where guerillas were sleeping. 17 people were killed, including Reyes, whose body was captured a «war trophy».

«This is a very mighty step in the cause of defeating the complete terrorist group», - said Juan Manuel Santos, Minister of Defence of Colombia.

Mass media reported about the operation that was carried out «on the border of Colombia and Ecuador». It has become known later that Colombian military have violated the border and penetrated into the territory of Ecuador. President Rafael Correa has recalled his ambassador from Bogota and started investigation of the incident.

President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez has strongly criticised the Colombian government actions. He said that war with terrorism was not the reason for unpunished violation of state borders, that is why, if the armed forces of Colombia crossed the border of Venezuela, his country would consider that step as declaration of war. Besides, Chavez ordered to shut down the Venezuelan embassy in Bogota and evacuate all diplomatic representatives, warning that actions of Colombia could lead to war in South America.

Killing of Reyes, the only «contact» with the guerillas, cast too much doubt on liberation of prisoners, including Ingrid Betancourt and three citizens of the USA. According to a unanimous estimation, the occurred act does not favour peaceful negotiations and exchanges. President of France Sarkozy declared that the death of Reyes happened in a critical moment, when all the efforts should be directed to support the outlined «positive dynamics». He called the both sides for a humanitarian solution of the problem.

In connection with the death of Reyes, the Colombian powers have called the red alert. They fear the activization of guerillas. Security measures around the presidential palace Nariño, Ministry of Defence and other federal buildings have been increased.

The first statement made by FARC after the death of Reyes brought some relief. It said that the death of Reyes should not be reflected on search of humanitarian solution of hostages problems, that the guerillas would do their best to obtain peace in the country and build up a socially just democratic society. «It will be the best memory to the fallen friends», says the statement of FARC.
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