Colombian opposition senator Piedad Córdoba proposes U.S.
Representative James McGovern as foreign observer in the commission
that must work towards the release of six FARC hostages.
The guerrillas in December promised to release two politicians and four members of the security forces, but demanded a commission including a foreign guarantor to manage the release and pick up the hostages.
The Colombian government, having rejected any foreign interference in matters concerning the FARC since July 2008 then authorized the Vatican to provide the observer. The FARC hasn’t yet officially rejected this offer, but both Córdoba — who was authorized by both guerrillas and government to mediate the release — and FARC-friendly website ANNCOL.eu said the guerrillas would never accept the church to be involved.
McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat, could count on both the support of the guerrillas and the government, Córdoba told Noticias Uno.
“I am absolutely sure the Government will like him and the FARC too,” she said.
McGovern previously put effort in the release of hostages held by the FARC and is an ardent opponent of a free trade pact between his country and Colombia as proposed by outgoing President George W. Bush.