Release of Colombian hostages set for weekend

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CNN

updated 48 minutes ago
Release of Colombian hostages set for weekend

http://i2.cdn.turner.com.nyud.net:8090/cnn/2009/WORLD/americas/01/30/colombia.farc.hostages/art.colombia.afp.gi.jpg

Colombian Sen. Piedad Cordoba has been
designated by FARC rebels as the coordinator
of the hostages' release.


From Fernando Ramos
For CNN

BOGOTA, Colombia (CNN) -- A Colombian delegation, led by a federal senator, has left for Brazil on the first leg of a multiday journey to obtain the release of six hostages held by the FARC guerrilla group.

Sen. Piedad Cordoba is heading the delegation, traveling first to San Gabriel de Cachoeira in Brazil's Amazon jungle, where the group will coordinate the hostage release.

From there, the delegation, which also includes two journalists and members of the International Red Cross, will fly in two helicopters to the jungles of San Jose del Guaviare, Colombia.

The first of the planned three stages for the hostage release is supposed to occur Sunday, when the guerrillas have said they will set free three Colombian police officers and one soldier. The names of those to be released is not publicly known.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/01/30/colombia.farc.hostages/index.html

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Senator Piedad Cordoba meeting with Congresspeople
Nanci Pelosi, Jim McGovern during trip to Washington.

[Judi Lynn]

Brazilian helicopters head for Colombia for FARC hostage release

Source: Xinhua

Brazilian helicopters head for Colombia for FARC hostage release
2009-01-31 12:23:13

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Two Brazilian military helicopters headed for Colombia Friday where they will participate in an operation for releasing hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The two Cougar helicopters, each capable of transporting 26 people, left the military base in Manaus in northern Brazil.

According to Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba, whose participation in the operation was demanded by FARC, the release process will take place at three different times.

Three policemen and one soldier will be released on Sunday, Alan Jara, former governor of the Meta province, will be released on Monday, while former congressman Sigifredo Lopez will be released on Wednesday.

The locations have already been provided by FARC, Colombia's largest anti-government group.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/31/content_10739931.htm

[bulloney]

1. "Brazilian helicopters? That's a lot of helicopters!" - George W. Bush

[Judi Lynn]

2. Scary! Maybe people should hide.

http://a248.e.akamai.net.nyud.net:8090/f/248/5462/2h/images.gamezone.com/screens/32/3/87/s32387_pc_4.jpg http://jameswagner.com.nyud.net:8090/mt_archives/LorchMillerHelicopters.jpg

[Judi Lynn]

3. Choppers land in Colombia to pick up hostages held by jungle rebels

Choppers land in Colombia to pick up hostages held by jungle rebels
1 hour ago

VILLAVICENCIO, Colombia — An International Red Cross spokesman says a special delegation has arrived in Colombia to pick up six rebel-held hostages.

Yves Heller says the 17-member group arrived from Brazil aboard two helicopters and landed in Florencia, a city about 380 kilometres south of Bogota.

The delegation is being led by Senator Piedad Cordoba and will journey to the as-yet-undisclosed spot where three policemen and a soldier are to be released Sunday by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

The FARC also has promised to release former Governor Alan Jara and former lawmaker Sigifredo Lopez early next week.

More:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hLqbmg5zGh21H2npAmsPLNTAGfJA