France 24

World news and latest news on international headlines, 24/7

Friday, July 10, 2009

COLOMBIA - FRANCE

Sarkozy wants Betancourt free by Christmas

Thursday, December 6, 2007

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has sent a message to the FARC pleading for the quick release of Franco-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt.

See the Special Report aboutIngrid Betancourt

Thursday, December 6, 2007

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has sent a message to the head of Marxist rebels holding French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, appealing for her release, his office said Thursday.

"I solemnly request the release of Ingrid Betancourt," Sarkozy said in a message to Manuel Marulanda, head of the FARC rebels in Colombia.

"For my part I pledge to remain personally involved in the search for a humanitarian solution, for the liberation of all the others being held. Moreover, I promised to redouble efforts, if that is desired, to contribute to finding a way out of the Colombian conflict," Sarkozy said in the televised message.

"But at this moment, Mr. Marulanda, a woman in danger of dying must be saved," Sarkozy said. "I have a dream: to see Ingrid among her family this Christmas."

France has been very interested in Colombia's hostage crisis since Betancourt was kidnapped while campaigning for the Colombian presidency in 2002.

Earlier this week Colombia said it wanted Sarkozy to become involved in helping resolve the impasse in talks to swap some 45 hostages including Betancourt and three Americans for some 500 FARC prisoners held by Colombian authorities.

Colombia's overture to France came in the wake of a raging row between Caracas and Bogota, after President Alvaro Uribe summarily dismissed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez from his role as go-between during talks between the rebels and the Bogota government.

The French president last week vowed to redouble his efforts to obtain Betancourt's freedom, after recently-seized videos of her, looking thin, and 15 other hostages were shown by Colombian authorities to prove they were alive.

There are no reactions so far.

Be the first user to react to this article.

You will only have to select the button <<REACT>> and fill the indicated fields.

Your reaction

*Required fields

Your reaction

Your reaction has been sent to FRANCE 24. Thank you for your feedback.

France 24 - Recommand

*Mandatory fields

France 24 -  Send by e-mail

*Required fields

France 24 -  Send by e-mail

The article has successfully been sent by email

  • Photos

  • Animation