16 July 2008 - 18H38
Red Cross emblem used to rescue Betancourt
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has admitted that his army broke the Geneva Conventions and used the Red Cross emblem during the operation that secured the release of 15 FARC hostages including Ingrid Betancourt.
BOGOTA, July 16 (Reuters) - Colombia misused the symbol of
the International Committee of the Red Cross in this month's
military rescue of Ingrid Betancourt, the government said on
Wednesday, admitting a possible violation of the rules of war.
"We regret that this occurred," President Alvaro Uribe said
in a speech following press reports about the Red Cross emblem
possibly being displayed on vests and T-shirts worn by
Colombian intelligence officers who carried out the rescue.
Falsely portraying military personnel as Red Cross workers
is against the Geneva Conventions, as it could put humanitarian
workers at risk as they carry out missions in war zones and
undermine the neutrality of the Red Cross.
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