EL UNIVERSAL

French President Nicolas Sarkozy branded as "essential" that the rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) give a proof of life of the hostages they are holding, so that negotiations on a likely humanitarian swap can move forward.

His comments came during a meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chávez in Paris, the Élysée Palace informed.

Following the meeting Chávez, who is playing a role as a mediator between the Colombian government and the FARC for the release of the hostages, including French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, said the FARC pledged to confirm "by the end of the year" that the hostages are alive, Efe quoted.

FARC leader Manuel Marulanda made the promise in a letter he forwarded to Chávez through Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba, the mediator Colombian President Álvaro Uribe designated.

According to the Élysée Palace's spokesman, David Martinon, Sarkozy reminded that the proofs of life "were essential, both for reassuring people about the fate of the hostages and to ascertain the honesty of the FARC in seeking a humanitarian agreement."

Controversy in Bogotá
In Paris, Chávez once again insisted in holding a meeting with Marulanda to achieve a humanitarian agreement, but the Colombian government replied the prerequisite for such an encounter was the release of all of the hostages held by the guerrilla group.

"The first step is releasing the people who are kidnapped," said the Colombian High Commissioner for Peace Luis Carlos Restrepo. His remarks came after Chávez disclosed details of his mediation with the FARC.

Surprise visit to Havana
President Chávez on Tuesday disclosed plans to visit Cuban leader Fidel Castro, on his way back to Venezuela following his latest international tour. "I have to make yet another stop, Havana, to talk to Fidel," Chávez told reporters at the Portela International Airport in Lisbon. "I am going to get some sleep from here to Havana," he added.

Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.
msuarez@eluniversal.com