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Communiqué From Ingrid's Family May 7th, 2003 Fabrice Delloye, speaking for the family of Ingrid Betancourt |
ast Monday Colombian President Alvaro Uribe was responsible for undertaking a military rescue operation in a camp controlled by the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Foreces of Colombia ) in an attempt to free hostages held by the rebels.The operation not only failed but it lead to the tragic execution of 10 hostages . Ingrid Betancourt's family fervently condemns the brutal loss of these innocent lives. The family has repeatedly stated their steadfast opposition to any sort of military intervention destined to regain rebel territory where hostages may be held by the FARC. An armed solution is a highly dangerous risk for the hostages as proven by this week's dramatic events. We have held this position since last August 2002 when we formally contested such a possibility, already envisaged at the time by Uribe's administration in order to free Ingrid. We are pressed for time. Too much time has been wasted these past few months.Everyone knows that only the two parties involved can act in order to negotiate a humanitarian agreement. The conditions necessary to initiate these negotiations are known and they have been known for over three months.The Farc demand that the negotiations take place on Colombian territory, lead by official members of the Uribe administration and that the international community act as witness and garantor of the secure conditions of the discussions. France, through its Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dominique Villepin, offered its services in this regard at the time of an official visit to Colombia in November 2002. Last April 28 the FARC named three negotiators.It is now up to President Uribe to name his representatives in order to discuss the conditions necessary to open these negotiations. What are we waiting for? For some armed squadrons to be sent and more atrocities to ensue? How many more innocent victims must one mourn for a dialogue to take place ? Time has come to negotiate. The conditions can be quickly met. We appeal to each party 's sense of responsibility.We ask them to sit at the negotiating table, the life of each hostage is at stake. In this
moment, president Uribe seems to remain insensitive to this call and to
persist in his intention "to solve the conflict" by other
violent military actions. Only international pressure can now save Ingrid
and the other hostages. We ask you to sensitize the public opinion around
you, and mainly your local and national elected officials. In particular
we ask you to broadcast
the information to your friends and contacts, asking them to do the
same. ONLY INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE CAN NOW SAVE INGRID! |
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