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Colombia Hostage Rescue Stalls

Director Oliver Stone joins operation in push for freedom

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Dec 30, 2007 7:00 AM CST

(Newser) – An expected hostage release negotiated by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez with Colombian leftist rebels failed to materialize yesterday, setting the stage for a more dramatic event today as Latin American politicians and diplomats—and Hollywood film director Oliver Stone—joined rescuers and officials waiting for the rebels' next move, reports CNN.

The FARC, which holds dozens of captives, including three defense contractors from the US, agreed to allow two Venezuelan helicopters into its territory to rescue a former Colombian congresswoman, a presidential campaign manager and her young son, who was born in captivity. Colombian authorities pledged not to pursue the rebels during the handover. Stone, a Chavez fan, said he was there to film "a documentary about Latin America."

U.S. film director Oliver Stone, waves to journalists upon his arrival to Villavicencio's airport in southern Colombia, Saturday, Dec.29, 2007. A mission to retrieve three rebel-held hostages from Colombia's jungles was on standby Saturday, with observers waiting for the guerrillas to give the pickup point's coordinates to Venezuela's...
U.S. film director Oliver Stone, waves to journalists upon his arrival to Villavicencio's airport in southern Colombia, Saturday, Dec.29, 2007. A mission to retrieve three rebel-held hostages from Colombia's...   (Associated Press)
Pierre Dorbes from the Red Cross, front, talks to the media, accompanied by international observers upon their arrival  Villavicencio's airport in southern Colombia, Saturday, Dec.29, 2007. A mission to retrieve three rebel-held hostages from Colombia's jungles was on standby Saturday, with observers waiting for the guerrillas to give the...
Pierre Dorbes from the Red Cross, front, talks to the media, accompanied by international observers upon their arrival Villavicencio's airport in southern Colombia, Saturday, Dec.29, 2007. A mission...   (Associated Press)
Colombia's senator Piedad Cordoba, left, arrives at Villavicencio's airport in southern Colombia, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. A mission to retrieve three rebel-held hostages from Colombia's jungles was on standby Saturday, with observers waiting for the guerrillas to give the pickup point's coordinates to Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Colombia's senator Piedad Cordoba, left, arrives at Villavicencio's airport in southern Colombia, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. A mission to retrieve three rebel-held hostages from Colombia's jungles was on...   (Associated Press)
Argentina's former President Nestor Kirchner, left, shakes hands with Colombia's peace commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo, upon his arrival at Villavicencio's airport in southern Colombia, Saturday, Dec.29, 2007. A mission to retrieve three rebel-held hostages from Colombia's jungles was on standby Saturday, with observers waiting for the guerrillas to give...
Argentina's former President Nestor Kirchner, left, shakes hands with Colombia's peace commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo, upon his arrival at Villavicencio's airport in southern Colombia, Saturday, Dec.29,...   (Associated Press)
Crew members inspect a Venezuelan helicopter bearing Red Cross insignias at the airport in Villavicencio, Colombia, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Colombia's U.S.-allied government agreed to allow the helicopters into its territory to pick up former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez, hostage Clara Rojas and her young son with a guerrilla...
Crew members inspect a Venezuelan helicopter bearing Red Cross insignias at the airport in Villavicencio, Colombia, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. Colombia's U.S.-allied government agreed to allow the helicopters...   (Associated Press)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez talks to journalists at the airport in Santo Domingo, Venezuela, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007.  Two helicopters departed for Villavicencio, Colombia, which is to be the air base for coordinating the release of three hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. (AP Photo/Luis...
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez talks to journalists at the airport in Santo Domingo, Venezuela, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. Two helicopters departed for Villavicencio, Colombia, which is to be the air...   (Associated Press)
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