“As the test of endurance continues without end, I want to say that I am not forgetting Ingrid Betancourt”, writes President Jacques Chirac in a letter to Yolanda Pulecio, mother of the former ecology deputy Ingrid Betancourt, held hostage for five years by left wing rebels, FARC in Colombia.

In this message released by the President on Thursday, Mr Chirac referred to the

“ anguish of having no news and the burden of each day for a mother who waits for news of her daughter”.

“Everything that is possible is being done to bring an end to this hardship”, he maintains. “This is the aim of the ongoing strategy of the French government which I am personally overseeing.” Jacques Chirac underlines his “ personal determination to obtain her freedom at the earliest opportunity”.

“I would be grateful if you would convey to your children and grandchildren my assurances that the French authorities are pursuing relentlessly efforts to conclude this crisis”, he added. Ingrid Betancourt’s daughter, Melanie, 21 years, is of the opinion that France is not bringing sufficient pressure on Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

Yolanda Pulecio’s reply

In her reply sent on Friday to President Chirac, Yolanda Pulecio reiterated

“Her belief that France has aided us and that your government has worked unceasingly to bring about freedom for my daughter”:

President Chirac,

Today the fifth anniversary of my daughter Ingrid’s kidnapping along with Clara, I woke to receive your message that comforts me as a mother – as you put it so well; “as a mother who awaits her daughter”.

If I have never lost hope, it is because, firstly, that at meetings I had during the fifth year (of my daughter’s detention) with you, with Dominique de Villepin, with Philippe Douste Blazy and with Michel Barnier at that time, I became convinced that France was on our side and that your government was working ceaselessly to free my daughter. Also I was able to follow at close hand, efforts that you made with other governments willing to provide particular assistance to end the situation in which Ingrid, Clara and the other hostages find themselves as well as the missions undertaken by the French envoy with FARC and the Colombian authorities. Finally, you already saved my daughter’s life by opposing military rescue operations.

Knowing the complexity of the political situation in Colombia, I am fully aware of the obstacles to be overcome to bring about Ingrid’s freedom. In the face of the permanent ambiguity of President Uribe and the calculated reactions of FARC, Ingrid is in fact the hostage of a war.

As we seek unceasingly to free Ingrid, the support of France is crucial. May I through your good offices, thank all the men and women of France who in campaigning for Ingrid and the hostages have forged this extraordinary chain of support.

I ask you Mr President to continue to support her cause and to see to it that after the May elections France will pursue its efforts.

Mr President, I want to convey my esteem and my thanks and that of all the family.