Chavez Calls on FARC to Release Hostages; Farmers and Police Clash in Tax Protest in Argentina; Uribe Agrees to Protect Rebels in Exchange for Betancourt

BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombian President Alvaro Uribe embraced a call by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to free their hostages in a step towards ending their insurgency.

Although he had previously called for more recognition of FARC, Chavez urged FARC to release their hostages unconditionally.

“I want to reiterate our thanks to President Hugo Chavez for his recent comments that help Colombia win a definite peace.  I believe they were positive comments,” Uribe said.

Uribe and Chavez will meet to repair ties between the nations that were frayed when computers apparently linked Chavez to FARC.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Colombia welcomes Chavez shift on guerrilla support – 14 June 2008

BBC News – Colombia backs Chavez Farc call – 10 June 2008

------

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – A protest turned violent Saturday when military police used batons to try to clear roadblocks on a main highway.  Farmers were on their fourth strike to protest tax hikes in three months, halting sales of grains and most agricultural products.

Military police dragged demonstrators off of Route 14 close to Gualeguaychu to allow trucks carrying food and goods to pass.  Local reports said there were several injuries and 18 arrests, including farm union leader Alfredo De Angeli, an outspoken critic of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s export tax.

Nearly one quarter of the population of Argentina is poor, and the roadblocks worsented food and fuel shortages.  Thousands took to the streets in the nation’s capital of Buenos Aires to protest the violence and support the farmers yesterday.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Argentina farm strike flares again after crackdown – 15 June 2008

CNN – Argentina farm strike turns violent – 14 June 2008

------

BOGOTA, Colombia – A rebel with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has agreed to free Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages in exchange for protection from extradition.  Alvaro Uribe said Friday that his government has accepted the rebel initiative. 

“A letter was sent to the guerrilla who is offering to release Betancourt and other hostages, telling him that if he keeps his promise he will not be extradited, I hope he is sincere,” Uribe said.

Betancourt is a French-Canadian citizen who was kidnapped in 2002 as she campaigned for the Colombian presidency.  She is the highest profile hostage FARC holds.  It is believed that rebels currently hold some 700 hostages, including three U.S. military contractors kidnapped in 2003.

For more information, please see:

China View – FARC member offers to release Betancourt, other hostages – 14 June 2008

Scotsman.com – FARC Rebel offers to free jungle hostages – 15 June 2008

Comments

[MENSAH EMMANUEL ADJETEY]

YT UYRROLLLLLLJDADSS SADFFUY IUIER989 YY