We have received many reactions, following the article that appeared in Le Figaro and also to the book written by Jacques Thomet who will have the dubious privilege of going down in history as the first "journalist" to use his position to slander and attempt to tarnish the reputation of a person still held hostage as well as that of her family.

See below the text of a letter sent to Le Figaro by Thierry Consigny, head of the well-known communications company "Les ouvriers du Paradis":

From : Thierry Consigny 
To : smarchand@lefigaro.fr
Subject : Ingrid Betancourt

Dear Sir,

Although advertising executive of a company used to promote luxury goods, I am not writing about the competition in this regard (as I have often done in these pages) but to convey to you this "opinion" about Ingrid Betancourt in particular in response to the page by Francois Hauter that I suppose has already given rise to many letters.

Ingrid Betancourt's reputation

Some people think that too much importance is being given to Ingrid Betancourt. Too much importance in relation to her political clout; she would be a minor figure in Colombia; Colombians would be amazed to see all the support events organised for her in France and in Europe. Too much importance in comparison with the other hostages, in Colombia, where there are several thousands and elsewhere in the world. Too much importance in the eyes of her own kidnappers: the more importance given to her the greater her value as a hostage, and the less they are inclined to free her. And finally, too much importance compared with the interests of France and her diplomatic mission.

Or how stupidity wears the faded finery of "clever" pseudo- realism, and in fact hides a real monstrosity.

Ingrid, a minor figure in Colombia? She was elected to both the National Assembly and the Senate with the greatest number of votes! It is a little bit like as if someone had said that Segolene Royal, prior to her breakthrough in the polls, in spite of her success in the Vendée, was 'obviously" out of her league. And it is not just the votes that Ingrid received that count but also her campaigns; against corruption and against the civil war that tears Colombia apart, against a status quo that as usual puts the powerful in office and makes the electorate suffer. I met Ingrid Betancourt several days before her kidnapping: I can testify that far from being a minor political figure, Ingrid is a Stateswoman, straightforward, strong, determined, driven by her aim to serve her people. The 23 February, for the fourth anniversary of her kidnapping there were 5000 people at Renaud's concert in Rouen; 40,000 people demonstrated in Bogota!

Ingrid, always Ingrid, and the others? To those who repeat this good, this noble saying, answer: Yes, of course! You are right! Certainly! Where's the march that you are organising for the thousands of hostages so we can go to it? Where's the concert so we can book our seats? What have you got in the way of tee shirts, badges, stickers; I want to buy them? And the volunteers that you are recruiting, organising, motivating, who are they: can we get involved? That all thoughts of her mother Yolanda, of Melanie and Lorenzo her children, of Astrid, her sister, of her husband and father of her children should firstly be for Ingrid, how dare anyone be amazed?

And yet, the truth is that the Betancourt family, since the beginning, as well as the support committees (who are called "committees in support of Ingrid Betancourt, Clara Rojas and the thousands of other hostages in Colombia") have campaigned not only for Ingrid but also for all the others.

Relatives of other hostages have been automatically invited to take part in events organised by Ingrid's relatives. And all those who know her know well that Ingrid would never agree to be freed alone and that, when free, she will fight unceasingly so that not a single hostage remains in Colombia. As she has already done, Ingrid will fight for peace in Colombia, to free her people from this ongoing tragedy in her country where 80 % of those kidnapped in the world live.

"Sure, people who are more intelligent than you will say, but all this campaigning not only is useless, but only results in Ingrid's prolonged detention, by convincing her kidnappers to hold on to such a "treasure". There, which is why these " more intelligent" take care not to organise marches in support of hostages: in order to protect them! Do you know how many hostages die each year in Colombia? They die because nobody cares, because being without value in FARC eyes, they allow them die or kill them? If campaigning for Ingrid, for Clara and for all the hostages had only one virtue, it would be this one; to remind FARC that if they think that human life is worthless, for us it is of immense value, and that they are holding people who are precious that they do not want to destroy.

This is where the final argument of the "intelligent" fails, the ultimate sophistication of political realism: Ingrid and the hostages, fine, it's a touching story, but France ought not to risk its higher diplomatic interests (actually, what are they?) in this business. And Dominique de Villepin, Ingrid's friend, precisely because he is personally concerned, should above all wash his hands of it. Is this merely stupidity? Or else" barbarism with a human face"? "The new monsters" have they once and for all gained the upper hand in the media? Obviously Minister for Foreign Affairs at the time, now currently Prime Minister he is duty bound, having regard to human rights, and even ties of friendship, to dare take risks, for a French citizen as well as a Colombian, on behalf of freedom and quite simply because of the commitment to human life.

The thousands of those who struggle on behalf of Ingrid, Clara and the others must know that they are also defending love against barbarism, intelligence against stupidity, generosity against indifference, and truth against lies. They are a credit to Ingrid Betancourt, to her family and to their country.