[NYTr] France Extols Chavez Peace Efforts in Colombia

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

France Extols Chavez Peace Efforts in Colombia

Paris, Sep 3 (Prensa Latina) The French Foreign Ministry on Monday
praised Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez' efforts to reach a
humanitarian agreement between the Colombian guerrillas and government.

Pascale Andreani, spokesman for the ministry, told press his country
welcomed "President Chavez' efforts to help conclude a humanitarian
agreement," which could lead to release a French citizen.

Ingrid Betancourt, who has dual citizenship -French and Colombian-
centers Paris' interests. She has been in the hands of FARC (Colombian
Revolutionary Armed Forces) insurgents since February 2002.

Andreani said his country "was interested in the announcements after
the meeting between Presidents Chavez and Alvaro Uribe on August 31."

The agreements could facilitate a humanitarian exchange between FARC
prisoners and insurgents jailed by Bogota's government.

ef ccs iom ft