At an event that took place today in Paris, a leader of the Parisian Ingrid Betancourt Committee criticised the "inaction" of the head of the French Diplomatic service, Philippe Douste-Blazy and called on the intervention of the French President Mr Jacques Chirac

The minister " is using the hostage situation as a communication and media sympathy tool, but in reality nothing is happening", stated Hervé Marro, spokesman for the support committee at an event in Paris for the French - Colombian hostage.

"We know that, if it so wished, French diplomacy could act quickly and well", he continued, referring to the "discreet but effective" action by the Foreign Affairs Ministry to bring about freedom for all the French hostages in Iraq.

"That is why we are asking President Chirac to take charge of the situation as a matter of urgency because the handling of the situation by Philippe Douste-Blazy continues to disappoint us", he stated.

The spokesman for the Ministry of foreign affairs, Jean-Baptiste Mattéi, described the criticism as "unfair".

"We have been working unceasingly and constantly to reach a humanitarian agreement that will achieve freedom for the hostages. in particular Ingrid Betancourt", he said.

"Mr Douste-Blazy is fully involved in the situation. He showed this by going to Colombia (editor's note; on 26 January) and by taking part in vital meetings with a view to the liberation" of Madame Betancourt, added Mr Mattéi.

The support committee distributed free condoms on the steps of the City Hall in Paris, an action aimed at recalling a similar one in Bogotá in 1994 by the former Green party candidate in the presidential elections. On that occasion Ingrid stated: "Corruption is the Aids of Colombia ".

"Today, let us not forget that hostage-taking is also the Aids of Colombia ", stated the leaflets distributed by the committee.

Shortly after, the FICIB (International Federation of Ingrid Betancourt committees) issued a statement in which the 50+ committees in France and abroad dissociate themselves from the political attacks made by the Parisian committee.

Ingrid's mother Yolanda Pulecio was extremely shocked by this situation and has asked us to issue the following statement.

Yolanda Pulecio's statement

It was with surprise and annoyance that I read the statements made by Hervé Marro on behalf of the Parisian Committee set up in support of my daughter Ingrid Betancourt.

I wish to express my total disagreement with this statement that attacks the French government and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Having met Mr Douste-Blazy on several occasions I know that he is following this case with great personnel interest. I thank him for his efforts and I ask him to continue to do so. He can count on my total support.

If the committee is interested in obtaining freedom for my daughter, it cannot act rashly at a time when France is involved in important and challenging initiatives to have Ingrid freed.

I do not know what were Herve Marro's intentions when he spoke on behalf of the committee without taking my position into account. Indeed as Ingrid's mother, I think that along with my daughter Astrid and my grandchildren, I would be the most interested in my daughter being freed.

I do not think that one should combine political interests and negative emotions in opposing the French government that has been the most reliable, the most supportive and involved ally in our struggle since Ingrid's kidnapping.

I think that, despite the excellent work carried out by the committee, nobody has the right to issue inappropriate statements that could have disastrous consequences for the continuation of this long and difficult campaign.

Yolanda Pulecio, mother of Ingrid Betancourt.