Yet there are those who have tried to unfairly knock her down as was the case earlier today in Spain:
The Ermua Forum - a Spanish citizens group which has repudiated (Basque separatists faction) ETA- requested Wednesday that Ingrid Betancourt return the Prince of Asturias Award. They claim that her award was “unjustifiable” since she declared in favor of negotiating with terrorists.So what did Betancourt say that so riled up the Ermua Forum? According to the AP:
In a press release, the Ermua Forum differed “radically” from the opinions of the former candidate... [ed. Personal translation]
Betancourt said there are two schools of thought on terrorism: "One says that you don't talk to terrorists. The other, in which I believe, says that precisely because they are terrorists, we must talk"…The notion that diplomacy is always equal to appeasement is short-sighted and counterproductive. While Betancourt backed the concept of negotiating with terrorists she also blasted the FARC for holding nearly 3000 hostages and denounced them for repeated death threats against her. She has consistently criticized them after her liberation which ought to cancel out the laughable claim that she has Stockholm syndrome.
Betancourt said it was important not to let terrorist groups become isolated but to constantly demand that they explain what they do.
"The solution is not to close the door but on the contrary to force it open," Betancourt said.
Instead of petty critiques why not follow her example and seek a meaningful solution?
Image- PRESS TV
Sources (English)- AP, Plan Colombia and Beyond
Sources (Spanish)- Semana, El Tiempo, El Espectador, Canal Caracol
1 comment:
Ingrid Betancourt views on negotiating with terrorists reflects an awareness of the 21st century world in which silence and isolationism are no longer viable political strategies. Were the Spanish government to engage the Basque faction in dialogue the points at issue could likely be reduced or resolved.
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