Colombian Rebels Show Hostages to Reporter

[DUreader]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3032256,00.html



BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - A senator whose 2002
kidnapping by rebels during a plane hijacking
caused the government to cancel peace talks is
being held in the jungles of southwest Colombia, a
report said Friday.

Jorge Gechen, whose Senate term expired during
his 18 months in captivity, was interviewed by a
reporter for Cromos magazine, who saw him and
31 other hostages being guarded by hundreds of
rebels. It was the first time Gechen had been
heard from since his kidnapping.

Some of the captives - five politicians and 27
soldiers and policemen - have spent more than
five years in rebel hands. The Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia, or FARC, hopes to exchange
them for imprisoned rebels. They apparently
allowed the interview in hopes of putting further
pressure on the government.