While the odds of a prompt liberation of Ingrid Betancourt appear bleak, a video of one Colombian hostage was revealed on Thursday. Former congressman Oscar Tulio Lizcano was been captured by the FARC in 2000 and in his message he emphasized that the Uribe administration needs to seek a political solution: “To [the Colombian] government I ask to reconsider your stubborn attitude against a demilitarization zone. We ask that you do not consider a military rescue, as we do not want our families to receive us as bones in body bags…”
“I am a sinking ship with its lights on” he said in another part of his message while he was surrounded by armed guerillas. – [ed. personal translation]
The video with Lizcano’s message was revealed by Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba. She has become a lightning rod of controversy over her mediatory role between the FARC and the government. Her political relationship with Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has been of intense particular scrutiny with one columnist going as far as calling her a modern-day Mata Hari.
Sources (English)- Associated Press, Reuters, eitb24.com, Baltimore Sun, Canada Free Press
Sources (Spanish)- Caracol Radio
Image- RCN
2 comments:
Piedad's "mediatory efforts"? If one mediates said person is assumed to be an honest broker between bickering parties. Everyone knows where Piedad stands...or kneels. She is a disgusting and disgraceful piece of trash. It makes me long for the days of the AUC but let us leave the killing the kidnapping to the left.
Cordoba's political relationship with Hugo Chavez is a little too close for comfort at times; thus, her being under investigation by the Colombian congress. Also, she sometimes lends herself to hyperbole. (Her opposition to the Feb. 4th protests, for instance.)
Yet at the same time one has to recognize the vital role she plays in the mediation between the Uribe admin. and the guerillas. It is through her efforts that information about hostages is revealed such as the Lizcano video. Also she has been key in negotiating the liberation of several hostages.
She isn't the best thing since sliced bread but she has been unfairly pilloried and villified by some of her detractors. (Such as the op/ed piece from Canada comparing her to Mata Hari).
By the way, if you really "long for the days of the AUC" then I suspect you're probably encouraged by the work of Las Aguilas Negras.
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