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Sarkozy’s plan to free Ingrid Betancourt

The mission to save the French-Colombian hostage held by the FARC comes with a three point plan: the release of Ingrid Betancourt, an offer by France to accept a handful of rebel leaders held by Bogota and French support for FARC’s removal from Europe’s list of terrorist organisations.

Juan Gasparini/Human Rights Tribune - With the backing of Switzerland and Spain, the « humanitarian mission » despatched on Wednesday by France aims to get back the Franch-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt, who’s been held hostage by the FARC for the past 6 years and who is “in danger of imminent death”, according to the last message broadcast by Nicholas Sarkozy to the hostage takers.

According to sources close to French, Spanish and Swiss mediation efforts, the French President’s plan is to be rolled out in three stages, over the course of the actual negotiations.

The French scenario envisages first of all the release of Ingrid Betancourt in exchange for a presidential pardon of a handful of rebels who have been sentenced to heavy terms in prison, and are known as the “colonels” of the Colombian revolutionary army (FARC).

These senior level rebels will be accepted by France as « political refugees ». The French have committed to be “ready to sign a humanitarian agreement that would lead to the release of the 38 remaining hostages and 500 detainees that are recognised by both parties.

Finally, FARC would benefit from French support when it takes over the presidency of the European Union in July as Paris will lobby for the rebel group to be removed from the EU list of terrorist organisations.

This is the concrete offer made by Nicholas Sarkozy to FARC on the 1st April. “ By taking this step you will have responded to the families unbearable wait and the unanimous demand of the international community. You will be able to shed light on your actions and you will have finally moved forward by opening up the opportunities for peace”.

A Swiss led mission

As the Colombian press has revealed, it is the Swiss university lecturer, Jean Pierre Gontard (Professor at the Institute for international and development studies), accompanied by the former French consul in Bogota, Noel Saez, who are responsible for carrying out this task on the ground.

It is important to remember that France, Spain and Switzerland are recognised as facilitators by the government of President Alvaro Uribe and by the FARC in the conflict.

The mediators Gontard and Saez are in Colombia to speak to one of the seven leaders of the “secretariat” who lead the oldest rebel movement in Latin America started in 1964. It is a meeting that has received the green light from Alvaro Uribe that the two mediators have already met.

The meeting has also been approved by the FARC. President Uribe must know the place and the terms of the deal before removing his troops. It should be able to take place with or without the participation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and must always inform first the Colombian government.

Political perspective

By negotiating like this with France, the FARC will be forced to make several sacrifices. The group will have to put up with the fact that the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavaz is not present as a mediator. The rebels must then draw up a list of prisoners likely to be freed by Alvaro Uribe. They must choose a minority of the 1700 members who are currently held, most of them charged but not yet sentenced – one of the conditions for a presidential pardon. The FARC must also be happy with the promises of the three mediating counties and make the first step: to free Ingrid Betancourt, who it must be remembered, is critically ill.

Under international pressure, the FARC have under this deal the chance of a political process similar to that known by the PLO??? In the 70’s. They would be giving up activities that go against international humanitarian law, which forbids attacks on civilian populations, the injured and non combatants. If FARC makes the transformation, it could become a player in finding a peaceful end to the Colombian conflict.

Demonstrations for Ingrid

On Friday tens of thousands of Colombians took to the streets to call for the release of all the hostages on the eve of the arrival of the humanitarian mission led by France that aims at making contact with the French Colombian who is critically ill.

Colombians demonstrated in the streets of the countries biggest cities to call for the release of some 28000 hostages in the country, according to official estimates.

On Sunday, a « white march » for the release of Ingrid Betancourt was organised in Paris and in several cities in France. It was at the request of her children who hope that the emergency mission could “save her from death”.