Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said Monday he will not let other nations act as mediators during the pending release of some hostages held by rebels.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) announced on Sunday that in January it would release former Governor Alan Jara, former Regional Deputy Sigifredo Lopez and thee policemen and soldiers.
"We are not going to let them to harm the country, to bring this risk to the country of deteriorating the international ties. So from now we warn the terrorism and local politicians who are now in this game that the government will not allow them to create international risks," Uribe said.
Uribe announced that he will only allow the participation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the release.
Uribe criticized the FARC for releasing six hostages but kidnapping some peasants in central Colombia on Sunday.
Relatives of some of the hostages said they trust the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to help with the pending release.
"I have made it clear that it must be consulted with the government because it is a Colombian problem. I would really thank President Chavez if he could contribute," said Colombian Senator Piedad Cordaba.
Chavez's mediation at the beginning of the year allowed the liberation of many kidnapped hostages but Bogota later canceled the Venezuelan president's efforts, which created strong tension between both countries.
The ICRC in Colombia offered its collaboration for the release process because of its impartiality and procedures to guarantee human rights.
The FARC is the largest guerilla group in Colombia and has held about 28 "exchangeable" hostages for rebels in prisons. It is estimated that the FARC holds more than 700 hostages.
Source:Xinhua
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