>>Perhaps this will help finally restore some order and stronger sense of justice to this struggling South American nation<<

President Uribe is ready to enter into negotiations with FARC - again.

I thought it was spelled Colombia with an O.

I would like to know and see the full story of this rescue mission, and why the hell it took six years for this poor woman and many other captives to be rescued! I have a sneeking suspicion the US was in there somewhere. God bless the South Americans!

Colombia is spelled with an o, as opposed to Columbia University, etc.

Maggie, I have a "sneeking" suspicion that that was a dummy remark.

---

This was a mission carried out with astonishing skill by the Colombian military. The people of Colombia, who have lived through a real agony that has not ended, are besides themselves with joy.

All indications are that the terrorists/drug dealers of FARC are bleeding, on the ropes, much despised by the people of the country they seek to "liberate" from its democratically elected government.

My sympathies go out to the "three stooges" who went on a mission to Colombia seven-eight years ago "to see the wildlife". This must be a shattering day for them.

Has Ms Ruane made any comment on the release of the captives?

Thanks Alison - I was ruined by my attempt at a pun (Hail, Columbia! is an old patriotic song). Cleary with my spelling ability I could never get into Columbia University.

Maggie: How could we Yanks have had anything to do with it? It was a stunning covert success which plays against our intelligence communities recent efforts! Viva Uribe!

Actually Maggie I read that remark as a criticism of the US for being somehow being responsible for the fact that Betancourt had been held for such a long time.

On a re-read, I see that you may have been saying that the US was involved in yesterdays operation --which it was, in an intelligence sharing role at least.

If I was wrong, and I now think that I was, I retract the snarky remark.

Maggie: I think the Colombians did this without US military intervention. And the only financial and real political aid i reckon came from France maybe.

God Bless France.

Mahons: Ohhh. Good one. Actually I was going to make some sarky comment about waking the dead what with you using an f word joke. Don't you know its un-ladylike? Do your parents know you use that language? It's terribly unintelligent dontcha know! But thought we could do without the Grim Reaper showing up for at least 4 weeks on this one.

Definitely with an O. I should know. I scored 20 out of 20 on the BBCs little intelligence test yesterday,

(International Herald Tribune )

The United States was involved in the planning of the operation and provided "specific support," the White House said. But officials there would not describe the nature of that support.

One American official who was briefed on the operation but spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed the intelligence support to Colombia for the mission, but would not provide details.

Alison: My parents did not encourage me to be ladylike.

Just as long as they taught you to appreciate sarcasm Mahons.

Id have thought the US would know where Farc were generally to supply intelligence on their back door. But the woman too? So why did it take so long for her to be released?

FARC is a disorganized army in areas not controlled by the government and those areas include vast jungles. All of the hostages were in dangerous hands and on some occassions the government troops came close, but didn't want to risk a rescue attempt that might result in the death of the hostages. FARC was hoping to exchange them for some hundreds of their gang held in prison by the government.

And while Colombia is closely tied to the US --on a people to people basis as well as governmental--its only metaphorically in the US backyard.Bogota is 1500 miles from Miami. That's pretty far.

Didnt the SAS train the Colombian special forces a few years ago to rescue a soldier. Staff Sergeant Timothy Cowley, 32, spent 119 days in captivity, much of the time blindfolded and bound to a tree. He was freed unharmed in a raid by Colombian special troops, who had been working in co-operation with an SAS unit sent especially from Hereford who spent time training them.

God Bless Britain. Except we can't say that today can we. Or can we? Yeah why the hell not. GOD BLESS BRITAIN. THE SAS. God Bless everything.

(Boy does he have his work cut out for him. Poor God. Everyone wants a piece of him. If he isnt holding up nations as uniquely blessed or beatifying wars or whatever in his name, he is busily writing second amendments :D)

On a re-read, I see that you may have been saying that the US was involved in yesterdays operation --which it was, in an intelligence sharing role at least.

That is exactly what I meant The Phantom. I just guessed they were in there somewhere.

Anywy thankfully that poor woman and a lot more are now enjoying Freedom as GWB likes to dwell on.

Maggie

Again, sorry about that.

--

I really hope that this leads to the permanent dissolution of FARC. Colombia has the potential to be a prosperous country, but they can never be that when lots of their territory is under the control of a communist mafia that feeds itself from protection money, kidnapping and drugs dealing.

The Colombian army and government are on a winning streak, and they've displayed an extreme competence lately.

Just as the USSR at a certain point collapsed due to its internal rot, the same could happen to FARC. What they have been doing is not right in any way, and they are despised by the people. Maybe 2-3 years from now there simply will not be a FARC.

And shame on all those from Europe and elsewhere who have romanticized and given support to an oppressive private army.They have a lot of blood on their hands. They knew exactly what FARC's methods were, and supported them anyway.

Maggie and ALison: It's nice to see in the comments that you Europeans are casting your gaze towards God again. May God Bless France. and May God Bless Britain. Say it often. and I highly recommend that you start to say your prayers again at night before you go sleep.

Mahons: "what the farc happened" -- hahaha

>>And shame on all those from Europe and elsewhere who have romanticized and given support to an oppressive private army<<

Surely you mean shame on those from Europe and elsewhere who refuse to cheer on a government with proven links to right-wing death squads.

God Bless Europe.

Patty: there was a great cartoon that circulated in France after the God cartoons debacle when God was allegedly insulted. It featured God looking down on us all, nodding his head and mumbling:

"C'est dur d'être aimé par des cons"

Anyway shalom/salaam to you - even if you do know farc all about Europe and religion.

Alison: My God is not Allah. Is the distinction now moot in secular/atheist.multiculturalist Europe?

Alison: remember your prayers and try not to be so nasty - it's unattractive.

Noel

You are very poorly informed on the Colombia of today.
And in any event I was speaking of those who romanticized and supported the FARC murder machine.

Please explain the unadulturated
joy that ordinary Colombians feel today. Presumbably they have a better knowledge of their country its people and its problems than you do.

Phantom, I never said Uribe govt. hasn't got its supporters. After all, it was elected.

>>I was speaking of those who romanticized and supported the FARC murder machine.<<

Yet, according to your first comment here, you have nothing but admiration for those who supported the other murder machine in Colombia.

I do admire the Colombian military and that country's government, which is the only hope for the liberation of that country's people.

It is noted that those who have been accused of death squad ties are being prosecuted - by the very Colombian government that you disdain.

Phantom, links to right-wing death squads among the Colombian military - and even Uribe's party - were widespread, and did not your own John McCain just a few days ago urge Uribe to improve human rights there?

But you're right: much progress has been made in Colombia recently.

Back to work for me. Cheers and enjoy your holiday.

And, not that I want to take the side of the death squads...the abuses committed by FARC were vastly greater.

FARC has been especially savage in its attacks against Indian villagers. The Indians wanted to stay out of the conflict entirely. FARC would not permit this, and on occasion, they killed entire villages.

Patty: Im sincerely glad you managed to squeeze a laugh out over Mahons farc joke at least. Well done. Try reading up on the Abrahamic faiths. And take a little look outside of your own shortsighted views on religion in Europe to round out a better understanding. Last time i checked the Vatican wasn't based in the United States either but is doing quite nicely all the same. You should check it out. Lovely rich decor they have going on. But I've seen better more rounded, sincere, spiritual and beautiful christian religious services in Europe at Christmas & Easter celebrating its true meaning than ive ever seen in America's major cities, certainly L.A. Pertinent point worth bearing in mind next time you consider Europeans beneath you, religiously speaking of course. A wholly unattractive view in itself.

have a nice day off tomorrow.

Alison: is that a chip on your shoulder or is it just a new shoulder-pad-back-to-the-80's fashion accessory thingee from Paris? :D

Seriously, have a virtual apple martini on me. Life's too short for wallowing.

Be careful Patty, God can misdirect his lightning bolts you know..those of true belief can overdo it in 'his' eyes - in fact to much 'pride' etc., is a sin! You must be more like the Prodigal Son or Daughter and return to the fold in humbleness. God bless England, Europe & some parts of the US!

Which parts XD

Too short for wallowing, not long enough for stirring though Patty eh?

Enjoy tomorrow, its an extra shopping day. With fireworks.

Maggie,

"God can misdirect his lightning bolts you know.."

Naw, you're confusing him with Thor. Easy mistake to make; the beards are very similar :0)