Vol. 565 No. 2
81 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the case of a missing person (details supplied) in Colombia and urge the Colombian authorities to deal with this issue in a sensitive and caring manner. [10477/03]
As the House is aware from my replies to previous questions on this subject, Ms Ingrid Betancourt, a candidate in the 2002 Colombian presidential election, was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, on 23 February 2002. She remains in FARC captivity, along with the governor of Antioquia province, the former Governor of Meta province, two former cabinet Ministers, 12 deputies, 47 members of the State security forces, and three US citizens.
My understanding is that the Colombian authorities continue to be engaged in careful and sensitive moves to secure the release of Ms Betancourt and the other kidnap victims. On 31 January 2003, President Alvaro Uribe established a commission to evaluate the possibility of a humanitarian exchange of hostages held by FARC for FARC prisoners held by the Government. The three-man commission is composed of: Monsignor Luis Augusto Castro, Vice-President of the Colombian Episcopal Conference, Mr. Angelino Garzón, a former Minister for Labour, and Father Darío Echeverri, the Secretary of the Catholic Conciliation Commission.
The FARC is apparently demanding that the Government instead establish a high-level political group to discuss the question. In addition, it is demanding as a pre-condition for discussions the restoration of the kind of "clearance zone" ceded to it by President Pastrana in 1998 but which he withdrew in 2002 when he judged that the FARC had abused it.
My understanding is that the Colombian authorities are acutely conscious of the need to deal with this issue in a sensitive and caring manner, as they strive to secure the release and ensure the safety of their many political colleagues, as well as all the other victims, who are being held hostage.
