[Greens-Media] Australian Greens Leader in Venezuela for hostage friend

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

> Tuesday, 29 April 2008
> 
> Australian Greens Leader in Venezuela for hostage friend
> 
> Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown is in Caracas, Venezuela to
> meet officials of the Chavez government for news about kidnapped
> Colombian Greens Senator Ingrid Betancourt.
> 
> Ms Betancourt, who is a friend of Senator Brown, has been held hostage
> in the southern Colombian jungle by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
> Colombia (FARC) guerrillas since 2003.
> 
> "President Chavez used his good offices to help win the release of six
> other hostages, including Ingrid's friend Clara Rojas in March this
> year. Then the Colombian army bombed the guerrillas and killed their
> chief negotiator. FARC Commander Ivan Marquez says the possibility of
> more releases of hostages is 'closed'," Senator Brown said.
> 
> "It is important that the worldwide efforts for Ingrid's release are
> redoubled. She is in horrific circumstances. I want President Chavez
> to know his efforts to obtain the release of hostages in Colombia are
> appreciated as far away as Australia", Senator Brown said.
> 
> On Wednesday Senator Brown is going to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the
> second Global Greens Congress. Ingrid Betancourt drew huge applause
> when she addressed the first Global Greens Congress in Canberra in
> 2001.
> 
> Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603
> 
> 
>