Jesse Jackson to mediate Colombia hostage release

[Untouchables]

Jesse Jackson to mediate Colombia hostage release

AFP
September 29, 2013, 3:13 pm

Bogota (AFP) - US rights activist Jesse Jackson agreed to a request from Colombian guerrillas to help mediate the release of a US military veteran the rebels captured in June.

In a statement published on the website of the daily El Tiempo, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) asked Jackson to help expedite the release of Kevin Scott Sutay, who was captured in the central-eastern region of Guaviare when he traveled through the area as a tourist.

Jackson inserted himself in the matter two weeks ago during a global forum of black leaders in Colombia, when he called on the guerrillas to free the American.

The potential release "is a unilateral FARC decision in response to humanitarian considerations. Nothing has been demanded in return for the gesture, meant to contribute to a positive means for Colombian peace," the FARC said.

In Havana, Jackson said he accepted the request. On a visit to Havana where FARC rebels are negotiating with Colombian government representatives, Jackson said he would mediate in a bid to help Sutay, "his family and our nation."

Jackson, who will be in Cuba until Monday, said he would head to Colombia next week.

President Juan Manuel Santos rejected the group's request that leftist former senator Piedad Cordoba, who has mediated the release of more than 30 FARC hostages since 2008, participate in the mission.

Cordoba announced Saturday that she would not be involved with the mission, to be led by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The guerrillas Saturday also requested the participation of Carlos Lozano, leader of the Colombians for Peace movement.

Peace talks between FARC and the Colombian government opened last November in Cuba, the fourth attempt since the 1980s to end Latin America's longest-running armed conflict.

In early 2012 FARC committed unilaterally to stop kidnapping civilians.