ICRC, Cordoba to mediate for French journalist's release
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E-mail Xinhua, May 15, 2012
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and former Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba agreed Monday to mediate for the eventual release of a French journalist kidnapped by Colombian rebels two weeks ago.
The ICRC and Cordoba on Monday agreed to the demand by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)to take part in the handover of Romeo Langlois, and urged the FARC to decide where and when the France 24 and Le Figaro journalist would be freed.
"What should happen next is to find out as soon as possible the time and place" of his release, ICRC Colombia spokesman Jordi Raich told reporters a day after the FARC offered to free Langlois to a commission comprised by the ICRC, Cordoba, and a representative of the government of French president-elect Francois Hollande.
On Sunday, the FARC issued a statement published by the Cuban press in which they detailed their conditions for releasing Langlois, whom they consider as a "prisoner of war."
Langlois was captured on April 28 after a military unit he was riding with clashed with the rebels.
The FARC has claimed that the journalists Colombia's armed forces take along on military operations do not fulfill the objective of reporting the facts impartially.
"The ICRC maintains contact with all parties involved in conflict and Colombia is no exception," said Raich about the guerrillas' request that the ICRC be involved.
Separately, Cordoba announced her willingness to work for the release of Langlois and said she was confident he would be freed soon.
"As a member of Colombians for Peace, it is impossible for me to refuse to participate in a humanitarian mission, otherwise it would go against our principles," she said.
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