Colombia proposes summit to solve diplomatic crisis with Venezuela

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe on Saturday proposed to his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, that the two meet to discuss the diplomatic crisis unleashed by the capture of a Colombian rebel leader.

The call came after Venezuela recalled its ambassador from Bogota and suspended diplomatic and commercial relations with Colombia this week, demanding the neighbor's apologies for "the abduction of a Colombian rebel leader from Venezuela."

In December, Colombian authorities captured Rodrigo Granda, theinternational representative of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the largest rebel group in Colombia. Venezuela described the move as a kidnapping carried out in its own territory, which violated Venezuela's sovereignty.

Colombia denied the charge, saying Granda was captured in Colombia's border city of Cucuta. But it admitted bribing Venezuelan security officials to help seize the rebel leader.

Uribe hopes the summit "to be a public discussion, within the framework of a presidential summit and with the participation of other presidents," said Ricardo Galan, press secretary of the presidential office.

The meeting would also address issues of cooperation, combat against drug-trafficking and terrorism, and the strengthening of bilateral trade.

However, Uribe said that his government did not violate the sovereignty of Venezuela as the capture of Granda took place on Colombian territory.

As the diplomatic row intensified in the past few days, political leaders of both countries have been calling for dialogueto resolve the issue. Former Colombian foreign minister Augusto Ramirez and Venezuelan ruling party Representative Luis Tascon called for an urgent meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers to avoid a worsening of the crisis.

Colombian legislator Gustavo Petro, leader of opposition Independent Democratic Pole, said Chavez called him up twice on Friday night and told him he wished "to improve bilateral relations."

Granda is staying in a top security jail of Colombia, under charges of rebellion and terrorism.

Source: Xinhua