EL UNIVERSAL
For Colombia, a top priority in the agenda Colombian and
Venezuelan presidents Álvaro Uribe and Hugo Chávez
are to deal with during their meeting next October 12 should
be a likely humanitarian agreement to swap hostages held by
FARC for rebel troops who are in jail.
"The presidents carry in their luggage subjects such as the
humanitarian agreement, which is top priority in the Colombian
agenda. This topic is in Chávez' agenda too, as Venezuela
is playing a role as a mediator," said Colombian Minister
of Foreign Affairs Fernando Araújo, Reuters quoted.
Chávez has been acting as a mediator to reach a likely
agreement intended to swap 45 people who have been held by
the rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Force (FARC), including
Colombian-French politician Ingrid Betancourt and three US
contractors, for FARC troops who are in prison.
Chávez asked Uribe to put FARC leader Pedro Antonio
Marín, also known as Manuel Marulanda and/or Tirofijo,
in a plane and send him to Venezuela, to treat him right and
even welcome him with a coffee.
Colombian Vice-President Francisco Santos replied to Chavez's
remarks, "As a matter of fact, many Colombians would not like
someone who has terrified the countryside, someone who has
murdered countless Colombians, someone who orders planting
antipersonnel landmines, someone who is involved in drug traffic,
to be welcomed with a coffee, as if nothing, in a neighbor
country."
Santos asked Chávez to be wise in his role as mediator
before the FARC.
Last Sunday, Uribe launched a warning to the international
community not to let FARC deceive them. The Colombian ruler
branded the rebel group as "narcoterrorist" and put the blame
on the guerrillas for the killing of a politician running
for mayor.
Meanwhile, a meeting between Chávez and FARC delegates
scheduled for October 8 was adjourned for at least 30 days,
"while confidence is regained," said Colombian senator Piedad
Córdoba.
Regarding the names of the guerrilla leaders who are to talk
to Chávez, Córdoba said, "it is not President Uribe
who chooses the commanders who are attending the meeting,
it is Manuel Marulanda who chooses."
Further, former Colombian President Ernesto Samper said he
had his hopes focused on Chávez to release the hostages.
Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.
msuarez@eluniversal.com
