Venezuela's president has said he hopes for a breakthrough in the long-running hostage crisis in Colombia, and that he hopes to bring French President Nicolas Sarkozy - on his November 20 visit - proof that Franco-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt is still alive. Chavez said that after last week's meeting with a FARC representative, he is asking his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, for permission to meet FARC leader Manuel Marulanda.

Q. You were invited to meet with Nicolas Sarkozy. Will you bring him news of Ingrid Betancourt?

Chavez: I am coming to France with an invitation from Nicolas Sarkozy and I'm looking forward to it very much, after he told me on the phone that we can become good friends. The main theme of our meeting will concern the humanitarian exchange, which includes Ingrid. And yes, I believe that I can bring good news to Sarkozy. But I will also have some demands, because he wants to - and surely is able to - help find a formula, a point of compromise, to reach an agreement between the Colombian government, led by President Uribe, and the leaders of FARC. I hope I can bring proof that Ingrid is still alive. I don't have this proof yet, but I hope to get it before I arrive in Paris on the 20th of November.

Q. What could be France's contribution to this humanitarian exchange?

Chavez: As you know, it's a very delicate issue. I'm going to talk to the president about it. After my conversation with Sarkozy, we will certainly determine a little more precisely what exactly France's contribution could be. At this point it would be premature for me to discuss it further.

Q. Do you expect to get the green light from President Uribe to go meet Manuel Marulanda, chief of FARC, in the Colombian jungle? And, if so, could you possibly return with the hostages?

Chavez: As I told Sarkozy, I think the meeting with Marulanda is necessary. We have to do all we can for this meeting to take place. And, yes, I think this meeting is possible. I spoke about it with Uribe recently while in Santiago, Chile, and we are working for this to happen. And as I told Marulanda, via commander Ivan Marquez, whom I have spoken with several times for several hours, if the meeting happens Chavez cannot return empty-handed from the meeting. I am therefore hoping this meeting will take place and that it will facilitate the humanitarian accord.