EL UNIVERSAL

Rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) proposed Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez to hold a meeting next October 8 in a place yet to be determined, in order to talk about a likely swap of hostages for guerrilla troops under arrest, Sunday said daily newspaper El Tiempo.

Based on the report, the invitation came in a video footage that was delivered to Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba during a meeting she held with FARC spokesman Raúl Reyes last Thursday-Friday in Colombian forest, AFP explained.

In his message to Chávez, FARC spokesman suggested holding one or two meetings before Chávez and FARC top leader leader Manuel Marulanda (alias "Tirofijo") meet, but he would not propose any place. The first meeting would take place next October 8, on the 40th anniversary of Ernesto Che Guevara's death.

Chávez -whom Colombian President Álvaro Uribe last week authorized to serve as a middleman with FARC in order to reach a humanitarian agreement- three weeks ago, during a visit to Bogota, invited Marulanda to meet with him in Caracas.

According to Chávez, however, Marulanda replied he could not visit Caracas and proposed holding their meeting somewhere in southern Colombia. Uribe rejected this plan.

Last Sunday, El Tiempo said Reyes reassured both hostages and detained rebels that they could "rest assured that there will be an outcome," but warned that many meetings needed to be held, and much "perseverance and persistence" would be necessary to attain an agreement on the humanitarian swap.
 
Further, Reyes hinted that Chávez was likely to meet with democrat lawmakers and the relatives of three US citizens held hostage among the 45 people that may be swapped by some 500 rebels under arrest.

Last Sunday, during his weekly radio and television show Aló Presidente (Hello, President), Chávez stressed he needs to talk to Marulanda to agree to a humanitarian swap in Colombia.

"For me it is necessary to talk to Marulanda. Otherwise, things are going to get complicated as they have got complicated for everybody else," said the Venezuelan ruler. "This is only the beginning. We need patience and more patience, and perseverance to attain a humanitarian agreement. We need much understanding," added  Chávez, who was accompanied by Colombian Ambassador to Venezuela Fernando Martín Valencia.

Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.
msuarez@eluniversal.com