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DATE=5/30/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250006
TITLE=COLOMBIA/KIDNAP (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=RHODA METCALFE
DATELINE=BOGOTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
IN COLOMBIA, LEFT-WING GUERRILLAS HAVE ABDUCTED MEMBERS OF A 
CHURCH CONGREGATION IN CITY OF CALI -- TAKING AT LEAST 45 PEOPLE 
HOSTAGE INTO THE MOUNTAINS, WITH ARMY AND POLICE IN HOT PURSUIT. 
MANY OF THE HOSTAGES WERE LATER ABANDONED BY THE GUERRILLAS, WHO 
BELONG TO A REBEL GROUP THAT HIJACKED A PLANELOAD OF PASSENGERS 
LAST MONTH, HOPING TO GAIN CONCESSIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.   
FROM BOGOTA, RHODA METCALFE REPORTS.
TEXT: A GROUP OF HEAVILY ARMED REBELS BURST INTO A CATHOLIC 
CHURCH DURING MASS SUNDAY, IN AN AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOOD IN  THE 
CITY OF CALI.
 AT GUN POINT, THE GUERRILLAS FORCED DOZENS OF CONGREGATION 
MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE PRIEST AND A LARGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN, 
INTO TRUCKS AND DROVE THEM UP INTO THE NEARBY MOUNTAINS.
 THE ARMY QUICKLY DISPATCHED HELICOPTERS TO PURSUE THE CONVOY OF 
HOSTAGES.  SHORTLY AFTER,  SOLDIERS AND POLICE BEGAN A FIREFIGHT 
WITH THE REBELS IN THE MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRYSIDE..
 THE KIDNAPPING COMES JUST 6 WEEKS AFTER THE SAME REBEL GROUP, 
THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY, BETTER KNOWN AS THE E-L-N, HIJACKED
A PLANE AND TOOK THE PASSENGERS HOSTAGE.  25 OF THE PASSENGERS 
ARE STILL IN GUERRILLA HANDS.
 THE CRIME HAS EVOKED WIDE-SPREAD ANGER AMONG COLOMBIANS WHO 
BELIEVE THE E-L-N IS TERRORIZING THE CIVILIAN POPULATION TO FORCE
THE GOVERNMENT TO START PEACE TALKS WITH THEM.
                   ////GONZALEZ SPANISH ACT///
A LOCAL PRIEST, FATHER GONZALEZ, TOLD LOCAL RADIO THAT THE REBELS
ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS. HE ADDED THAT THE 
CHURCH ALSO WANTS TO SEE A PEACE PROCESS, BUT THE GUERRILLAS MUST
FIND A DIFFERENT WAY TO GET CLOSE TO THE GOVERNMENT.
                   ///RESTREPO SPANISH ACT///
 SPEAKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, FINANCE MINISTER JUAN CAMILO 
RESTREPO, STATED THAT THE REBELS ARE MAKING A MISTAKE IN THEIR 
STRATEGY. THIS IS JUST PUTTING A STICK INTO THE WHEELS OF THE 
PEACE PROCESS, HE SAID. IT IS NOT PUSHING IT FORWARD.
  LATE IN THE AFTERNOON SUNDAY, UNDER HEAVY FIRE FROM THE ARMED 
FORCES, THE GUERRILLAS ABANDONED 34 HOSTAGES.  AN ARMY OFFICIAL 
SAID THOSE RELEASED INCLUDED 14 CHILDREN.  THE FATE OF THE 
REMAINING HOSTAGES IS STILL UNKNOWN. (SIGNED)
NEB/RM/WFR
30-May-99 7:14 PM EDT (2314 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.