FARC have relaxed their position about freeing a soldier held for 11 years according to a letter released, yesterday (Monday) and sent to the father of another soldier, also held prisoner, whom they wish to free as well.

In a letter issued by opposition Senator Piedad Cordoba’s press office, FARC agree to let the International Red Cross and the Catholic Church take part in the release of the two hostages.

Announcing that they will free Josué Daniel Clavo Sanchez, a soldier, whom they say, was captured when injured after a battle with the Colombian army on 20 April last, FARC have confirmed their decision to free unconditionally Corporal Pablo Emilio Moncayo, which was announced on 16 April.

Until now FARC would only agree to hand over Moncayo to Piedad Cordoba and to the prisoner’s father, Gustavo Moncayo, who has led a public campaign for his release through walks in Colombia and abroad.

President Alvaro Uribe was refusing to allow Piedad Cordoba to take part in the handover, and told FARC that if they really wanted to free Moncayo, that they only had to hand him over to the Red Cross and the Catholic Church.

“We will not oppose, if the national government so wishes, to have the Red Cross and the Catholic Church present, but the handing over of the prisoner will be made personally to the citizens mentioned”, said one paragraph of the FARC letter.

Moncayo, who was 19 when captured, is among a group of 22 uniformed prisoners – among them a police general- whom the rebels wish to exchange for rebels held in government prisons.