Columbia Leaders Unsuccessfully Trying to Put Ransom Rumors to Rest. Someone get the bug spray.

And evidence that the rumor may be true keeps sneaking in 'como mosquitos molestos'.  (Bad Spanish alert.)

Excerpt: LA Times report "Colombia leaders call ransom story 'absolutely false' ":

Colombian authorities sought over the weekend to discredit a Swiss academic and former intermediary in talks with a left-wing rebel group who has been linked to a disputed report that officials paid $20 million for last week's release of 15 high-profile hostages.

A Colombian government official who asked to remain unnamed said Sunday that authorities suspect Geneva-based Jean Pierre Gontard was the source for the Swiss radio report last week stating that officials paid a ransom for the release of the hostages.

Why would this guy, Gontard, have any credibility on making these claims?   He was the guy helping the Columbian government negotiate with FARC.

On June 30, the government announced that Gontard and French diplomat Noel Saez had arrived in Colombia to resume those efforts. Two days later, onetime presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, three American defense contractors and 11 Colombian police and soldiers were rescued after more than five years in rebel captivity.

Whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeee.  Damn that insect!  Where is it? 

But why would the Columbians lie about a ransom?

First, according to the report the leak about the Columbian government paying a ransom of 20 million to a US designated terrorist could be damaging to relations between the South American country and it's sugar daddy.

Secondly, according to other reports the great media circus and era of good feelings generated by the 'rescue' story is ginning up huge support for Alvaro Uribe who wants to float a referendum to cancel term limit rules so he can run for president again.  Now when Hugo Chavez of Venezuela dared to hold such a vote, the US and most of the press told us it was the first step to Chavez becoming president for life, but, of course, our great friend and sugar baby Presidente Uribe wouldn't be running for a life term, no.

But wait, Columbia asserts that Gontard was also found to be a courier listed on the deceased FARC second in command's laptop.  So, of course, since the Columbian government never lies, that must be true.

  I don't want to seem like I'm disparaging the Columbian government just because it's South American.  I did earlier call this a story that reminded me too much of the sagas that were spun over the 'rescue' of Jessica Lynch. That was a purely US, scandal.  I'm just making a point that some governments play a little too fast and loose with the truth and the sooner we help the people of the world to see that, the better off we'll be.

But Gontard was in a position and place to have helped with a possible deal, and then he supposedly reported to a radio station back home that one had happened.

I know the Columbians have passed out netting and swatters, but I keep hearing that distant whine, that should scare Uribe.  Betancourt should run against him and overturn the Columbian president's advantage. That looks like the best hope for the Columbian people. 

I also recommend reading the original post on this "US Government Given Heads Up on Rescue Attempt of Columbian Hostages. Did Bush administration pass it on to McCain's campaign? European news is reporting the hostages were released because of a deal " if you haven't already.

tags: betancourt  columbia  ransom  gontard  

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