[NYTr] Colombians Want a Solution; Chavez Keeps Doors to French Open

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com


Venezuela Keeps French Doors Open

by Fausto Triana

Paris, Nov 23 (Prensa Latina) Venezuela reported on Friday that it is
keeping its doors open in France to possibly help the relatives of
those detained by the Colombian guerrillas, with Ingrid Betancourt
among them.

Exclusively interviewed by Prensa Latina, Venezuelan Ambassador to
Paris Jesus Arnaldo Perez reiterated that his country accepted the
sovereign Colombian decision to put an end to the mediatory mission of
President Hugo Chavez and the facilitative work by Senator Piedad
Cordoba.

"We received that news with pain and sadness, because we saw in our
president's mission a light of hope to solve the humanitarian exchange
of prisoners and perhaps open a path to peace in the sister nation," he
said.

However, the evident solidarity we have received from France encourage
us to continue our willingness to help in everything we can and when it
is feasible.

Perez recalled that during Chavez' visit to Paris on Tuesday, he had
the opportunity to participate in the meeting with French Head of State
Nicolas Sarkozy, in the Elysium Palace.

I came out of the meeting very optimistic, because I felt that the
perspective of obtaining evidence of life of those detained by the
guerrillas in Colombia was really close, besides the plan for other
quick steps to facilitate the process, he said.

The diplomat stated that as everyone, he was surprised by the abrupt
decision of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to end the missions of
Chavez and Senator Cordoba.

We have preserved intact the channel for a dialogue with Ingrid's
relatives and all those interested in collaborating on this issue. I do
not believe this decision could hinder progress, he said.

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Colombians for Hostage Deal Solution

Bogota, Nov 23 (Prensa Latina) Amid frustration over the Colombian
government"s decision to discontinue efforts for a humanitarian
exchange of prisoners between the guerrilla and government, many
Colombians insist on the need to look for a solution leading to their
release. # Venezuela Keeps French Doors Open

Institutions such as the National Peace Council and the House of
Representatives" Peace Commission have asked that the presidents of
Colombia and Venezuela meet to keep advancing towards a humanitarian
deal.

Similar remarks were made by General Comptroller Julio Cesar Turbay,
former President Ernesto Samper, and the governor of Valle del Cauca
Department, Angelino Garzon.

In the meantime, leading opposition force PDA (Alternative Democratic
Pole), urged the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the
government to "retake the process on which the entire country had
placed all its hopes." The call for the government to reconsider its
decision was also demanded by relatives of the people in the hands of
FARC, who were hopeful on the mediating efforts by Senator Piedad
Cordoba and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

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