Colombian President Alvaro Uribe talked by phone with his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush on the proposals to swap hostages held by the nation's largest rebel group for FARC prisoners in state jails, a government spokesman said on Tuesday.
Spokesman Cesar Velasquez said Bush had asked Uribe to make an appointment with him as soon as the rebels, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), delivered proof showing that the hostages were alive.
"They reviewed the situation of all captives, not just the three United States hostages. Bush showed interest in the proof gained by Colombia's army showing hostages had survived," he said.
The army on Friday seized three suspected FARC fighters who were carrying photographs, letters and videos of hostages.
Uribe had also told Bush about the extension of a search for the swap proposal, which the Colombians called the Humanitarian Accord, and the French government's collaboration.
France has shown interest because among FARC's high-value hostages is Ingrid Betancourt, a candidate in the 2002 presidential election who also has French citizenship.
Uribe had said that there had been direct contact between the Colombian government and FARC since Nov. 21, when he fired Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez from his role as mediator. He had also said that France, which Colombia considers an ally, will accompany Colombia during any talks.
Earlier on Tuesday, a senior government advisor told media that the Colombian government high commissioner for peace, Luis Carlos Restrepo, will travel to Paris to seek a strategy with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The three U.S. hostages -- Marc Gonsalvez, Keith Stansell and Thomas Howes -- were civilian contractors working for the U.S. army in Colombia when they were kidnapped in 2003.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article