Former Colombian Foreign Minister and one-time Ambassador to Venezuela, Rodrigo Pardo has told Venezuelan broadsheet, El Universal in an interview that the role of President Chavez in the humanitarian agreement has been reduced to almost nothing. Colombian President, Alvaro Uribe has shown, the former diplomat states, that he has found an alternative to free hostages and contacts with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have opened up through the Colombian Church and the participation of countries such as Switzerland, Spain and France. The release of Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages, he claims, has shown that Chavez is no longer indispensable for a humanitarian agreement. Pardo says he believes a future agreement will depend on national events rather than any international intervention. According to the Ecuadorian correspondent of the Inter Press news agency, Ingrid Betancourt and the hostages rescued with her were to be released sometime this week as part of a decision taken by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) secretariat and its leader, Alfonso Cano. The Colombian Armed Forces found out and intercepted the release programme making out that it was a rescue operation. The journalist responsible for the article quotes a source claiming that among the guerrilla movement in Colombia there have been many doubts about the participation and conduct of some of the countries taking part in the mediation process, especially French and Swiss emissaries. One particular incident that stands out, the article maintains, is the attack on the FARC camp in which 2-i-C, Raul Reyes was killed when he was about to receive a visit from French emissaries. The guerrilla source quoted by the journalist states that every time the French or Swiss have turned up, something has happened to the FARC and for that reason there will be no more conversations with those countries. In the article the health of the hostages has been analyzed with the comment that despite a media campaign that the health of Miss Betancourt and others was deteriorating, it has been shown that they received a far more human treatment than FARC prisoners receive in state prisons.
The left wing Colombia News Agency (Anncol) has confirmed that the military operation to rescue Betancourt took place during contacts between European officials and FARC leader, Alfonso Cano. An editorial which appeared on the website has criticized the role of friendly countries in the military operation which the editorial suggests was based on betraying the confidence on one or two sides involved in the humanitarian agreement process.
The Venezuelan opposition such as El Nacional broadsheet has welcomed the recovery of Ingrid Betancourt, accepting the Colombian government's version of events without any questioning. Government supporters have expressed their doubts about the release, as can be seen in the many articles published in Aporrea.org. Special criticism has been directed towards Ingrid Betancourt and her very public snub of President Chavez and his role in the humanitarian agreement, along with her immediate and surprising support for Alvaro Uribe.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe will be received in Venezuela on Friday, July 11 to discuss bilateral relations. President Chavez says Uribe will received as a brother, despite current tensions between the two countries. Chavez defends his decision, quipping that even in families there are quarrels that must be overcome.
Government supporters are already angrily gearing up to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's visit to Venezuela on Friday. Several trade unions have announced that they will stage protests to show their rejection of the visit. The CCura trade union group belonging to the National Workers Union (UNT) has criticized President Chavez' reference to a Uribe as a "friend" and "brother." A community radio in Merida and other collectives are calling for a march to protest against the visit.
In an address to the FARC, Fidel Castro suggests that they release all hostages in their power but insists that they should keep their weapons. Castro says he has always criticized openly the cruel method of kidnapping and holding hostages in jungle conditions but, he continues, he's not suggesting that the rebels lay down their arms, given the fact that in the last 50 years those who have done so, have not survived in peace. Fidel Castro states that he feels it is duty to express his opinion and clarifies that any other conduct would only serve to accentuate disloyalty and treason within the ranks of the FARC.
According to trade unionist and former mining Minister, Jose Khan, the debate between workers belonging to the nationalised Caracas electricity company and United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) candidate to the Metropolitan Mayor's Office, Aristobulo Isturiz is the beginning of a paradigm change in the trade union movement. The debate took place on Sunday and centered on proposals to improve Caracas. Khan insists that the trade union movement should not only respond to economic demands but should also be concerned about consumers belonging to popular sectors who rely on basic services, such as electricity. As representative of a group of workers belonging to the company, Khan highlights the importance of debating ideas and proposals among workers and those who will be the new leaders of Caracas in November in an effort to seek solutions that will make the capital city more habitable. One of the proposals accepted during the debate was to set up meetings between trade union leaders and representatives and candidates to strengthen the electoral campaign. The initiative, Khan forecasts, will also help the socialist production companies in the process of transformation to get into tune with what communities need.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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