EL UNIVERSAL

Colombia decided not to authorize the entry of any other international team such as the foreign mission headed by Venezuela late in December to witness the release in the Colombian woods of three hostages -including a boy- held by the leftwing Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC), said Foreign Minister Fernando Araújo.

According to Araújo, some members of the international mission made statements against President Álvaro Uribe and advocated the FARC, Reuters reported.

The foreign taskforce "comprised people who are not aware of the Colombian situation and do not know the FARC. That is why they have come here to raid on the government and advocate the guerrilla groups. This operation achieved poor results," Araújo added.

Colombia authorized the entry of an international committee headed by Venezuela to witness the release of politicians Consuelo González de Perdomo, Clara Rojas and her son Emmanuel, whom the FARC vowed to deliver to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

The group included presidential delegates from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Switzerland and officials with the International Red Cross.

Araújo stated that many people were cheated by the FARC, "and they are still making comments that the Colombian government's interests are wrong."

The diplomat claimed that the Venezuelan government should "ask the FARC for an explanation, as they deceived" Chávez's administration.

"We are considering the possibility that the FARC meet their promise to deliver hostages Clara Rojas and Consuelo González, in which case we are ready to facilitate the delivery, but without authorizing the presence of international humanitarian committees," Araújo stressed.

The FARC told TV news show Noticias Uno that they are to free Rojas and González, as promised to Chávez.

Last December 31, Chávez said he had no reasons not to believe in the FARC. He celebrated the fact that Rojas' son Emmanuel was free.

Some analysts claim that the Venezuelan ruler was the most seriously hit by the failed release, as the delivery of the hostages could have oxygenated his image, following his defeat in a referendum intended to pass a number of changes to the Venezuelan Constitution and fortify his socialist drive.

On the contrary, Uribe earned a political victory, as his hypothesis that the FARC cheated Chávez and the international community because the rebel group did not have Emmanuel was proven true.

Colombian Minister of the Interior and Justice Carlos Holguín Sardi claimed that, following the FARC's failure to meet their promise to release three hostages, it has been shown that "you cannot negotiate with cheaters and liars"

"Therefore, no more humanitarian missions that allow the FARC to fool everybody," Holguín added.

The Colombian Bishops' Conference (CEV) and the Organization of American States (OAS) endorsed Colombia's decision not to authorize foreign committees.

Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.
msuarez@eluniversal.com