The Colombian Government Wednesday authorized Piedad Córdoba to mediate
in the announced release of six FARC hostages, but remained completely
quiet about the FARC’s condition to allow a foreign guarantor.
The Government’s High Commissioner of Peace Luis Carlos Restrepo confirmed in a press conference Córdoba was allowed lead the process leading to the release of the four members of the security forces and two politicians.
FARC-friendly press agency ANNCOL earlier that day published a statement by the FARC that said the rebels allowed the Red Cross to be involved in the release, but demanded Córdoba, one member of the group ‘Colombians for Peace’ that is in dialogue with the rebels and “some democratic person of a brother country or the international community who also will serve as guarantor.”
Córdoba talked with Restrepo and President Álvaro Uribe just before the government press conference. The lawmaker announced no press will be present during the release as a guarantee the FARC will not be able to turn the release into a “show” as the government repeatedly said it wanted to avoid.
However, Restrepo wouldn’t respond to questions of journalists about the last demand about the foreign delegate.
Bogotá has always rejected any foreign intervention in the release, but seems to be put with its back against the wall by the guerrillas.
Newly appointed mediator Córdoba didn’t say anything about a possible foreign mediation herself. “We will proceed with this issue of the releases and basically work together with the High Commissioner in the importance of the Red Cross in this process,” she said.
