<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>CANADA CALLS FOR RELEASE OF INGRID BETANCOURT AND ALL KIDNAP VICTIMS IN COLOMBIA</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font size="+1"><strong>June 14, 2002 <em>(3:10 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 70</strong></font><font size="+1"></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA CALLS FOR RELEASE OF INGRID BETANCOURT AND ALL KIDNAP VICTIMS
IN COLOMBIA</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Minister Bill Graham and Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) (Francophonie) Denis Paradis today called
for the immediate release of Colombian Senator Ingrid Betancourt, her assistant Clara Rojas, and all other kidnap victims
being held by the illegal armed combatants in Colombia's internal conflict. </p>
<p>"The continued widespread practice of kidnapping has done serious damage to hopes for a negotiated peace in Colombia,"
said Mr.Graham. "I am especially concerned about the kidnapping of high-profile political figures as a means for rebel
forces to disrupt legitimate government activities. Along with many others, Ingrid Betancourt should be released
immediately." </p>
<p>Canada made the appeal following meetings today and yesterday with Astrid Betancourt, the sister of Ingrid Betancourt--a
presidential candidate in the May 26, 2002 elections-- who was kidnapped on February 23 by the country's largest guerrilla
group, the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). At the time of the kidnapping, Senator Betancourt, who
represents the Green Party, was travelling to the former FARC demilitarized zone.</p>
<p>"Canadians are concerned about the well-being of Senator Betancourt and the other victims of kidnapping in Colombia,"
said Mr. Paradis. "Kidnapping is a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the Government of Canada has
repeatedly called on all participants in this conflict to respect the rights of the civilian population."</p>
<p>Kidnap victims in Colombia, who number more than 2,000, include innocent civilians, children and parliamentarians. From
February 2001 to February 2002, Canada, as a member of the Group of 10 Facilitation Commission, participated in peace
talks between the Government of Colombia, under President Pastrana, and the FARC. An important but unrealized
objective of the talks was to secure a commitment from the FARC to end kidnapping.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Isabelle Savard</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Richard Têtu</p>
<p>Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) (Francophonie)</p>
<p>(613) 944-2282</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221133449/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
</body>
</html>
