DATE=9/21/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-238991
TITLE=COLOMBIA KIDNAP (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: LEFTIST GUERRILLAS IN COLOMBIA HAVE RELEASED A KIDNAPPED
SENATOR AND SEVEN MAYORS. BUT, AS CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK
REPORTS FROM OUR SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU, ACTS OF TERRORISM
CONTINUE.
TEXT: SENATOR CARLOS ESPINOSA -- A FORMER PRESIDENT OF
COLOMBIA'S SENATE -- IS BACK WITH HIS FAMILY AFTER HIS RELEASE
SUNDAY IN THE NORTHERNMOST DEPARTMENT OF GUAJIRA.
MR. ESPINOSA SAYS HE CANNOT COMPLAIN ABOUT HIS TREATMENT AT THE
HANDS OF THE "NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY" DURING SEVEN WEEKS OF
CAPTIVITY, EXCEPT FOR THE FORCED MARCHES AT NIGHT TO ELUDE
GOVERNMENT TROOPS IN THE MOUNTAINS NEAR THE VENEZUELAN BORDER.
MR. ESPINOSA'S FREEDOM CAME ONE-DAY AFTER THE NATIONAL LIBERATION
ARMY RELEASED SEVEN MAYORS FROM ANTIOQUIA DEPARTMENT.
OFFICIALS OF COLOMBIA'S NATIONAL PEACE COMMISSION SAY THE RELEASE
OF SENATOR ESPINOSA AND THE MAYORS IS A GOOD-WILL GESTURE ON THE
PART OF THE COUNTRY'S SECOND-LARGEST REBEL GROUP. THEY SAY IT IS
AN INDICATION THE GROUP IS READY TO BEGIN A DIALOGUE TO END
THREE-DECADES OF VIOLENCE.
BUT POLICE SAY THE REBELS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A BODY BOMB WHICH
KILLED A CORONER AND WOUNDED A PRIEST SUNDAY IN A VILLAGE IN
ANTIOQUIA. THE BOMB EXPLODED WHEN THE CORONER AND PRIEST WERE
RECOVERING THE BODY OF A MAN WHO POLICE SAY WAS ASSASSINATED BY
THE REBELS.
IN JULY THE REBEL GROUP PLEDGED TO STOP KIDNAPPING CHILDREN,
PREGNANT WOMEN, AND PEOPLE OVER 65-YEARS OLD, BUT SAID THE
KIDNAPPING OF OTHERS WOULD CONTINUE.
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO HOLD A REFERENDUM NEXT YEAR ON A BROAD
AMNESTY FOR THE GUERRILLAS. A PUBLIC OPINION POLL SUNDAY IN THE
MAGAZINE "CAMBIO" INDICATES 79-PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE IN
COLOMBIA'S FIVE LARGEST CITIES OPPOSE A PARDON THAT WOULD COVER
REBEL ATROCITIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/TMD/RAE
21-Sep-98 9:58 AM EDT (1358 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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