Brazil offers helicopters to facilitate release of 6 held by Colombian rebels

[Judi Lynn]

Brazil offers helicopters to facilitate release of 6 held by Colombian rebels
By CESAR GARCIA | Associated Press Writer
12:32 PM EST, January 23, 2009

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Brazil will provide helicopters to facilitate the liberation of six hostages that leftist Colombian rebels have offered to free without conditions, the country's ambassador said Friday.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is brokering the release, which the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, announced on Dec. 21. Neither a date nor place has been set.

The Red Cross said Friday that it had asked several countries in the region about providing logistical support for the mission.

Brazil's ambassador, Valdemar Carneiro Leao, told reporters that Colombia's government had accepted his country's role. He stressed that no Brazilian government delegate would participate.

More:
http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-lt-colombia-hostages,0,308645.story