[Greens-Media] (VIC Greens MLC Sue Pennicuik) Ingrid Betancourt – another sad anniversary

[Amanda.Sharp at parliament.vic.gov.au]

28 February 2008

This week marks six years since Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt was
kidnapped by the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC)
guerrillas on 23 February 2002.

"This is another sad and frustrating anniversary for Ingrid and her family
and for the hundreds of other hostages and their families," said Greens MP
Sue Pennicuik.

"Video footage taken late last year shows Ms Betancourt, sitting on a
wooden seat in the jungle, looking very thin and pale. It is harrowing to
see her in such appalling conditions," she said.

In a letter to her mother, published in the Washington Post, Ingrid says
".…. life here is not life. It is a gloomy waste of time. I live, or
survive, in a hammock hanging from two poles, covered with mosquito netting
and a tarpaulin overhead, which serves as a roof, which allows me to think
that I have a house."

FARC have recently released some hostages, largely due to the efforts of
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, including former vice-presidential
candidate Clara Rojas (Ingrid’s campaign manager) and former Colombian
congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez, in January and just yesterday former
lawmakers, Gloria Polanco, Orlando Beltran, Luis Eladio Perez and Jorge
Eduardo Gechem, all of whom had been held for more than six years.

"I hope with continued pressure from the French government and support from
the wider international community, a humanitarian agreement can be
negotiated for the release of all the hostages and bring to an end this
long running tragedy in Colombia," Ms Pennicuik said.

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More information:   Sue Pennicuik   0407 000 270



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