Colombia: U.S. Citizens Pass Five Years as Hostages of the Revolutionary
Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC)
http://www.state.gov
{EXCERPT} Press Releases: Colombia: U.S. Citizens Pass Five Years as
Hostages of
the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) Wed, 13 Feb 2008
08:38:41
-0600
Press Statement Sean McCormack, Spokesman Wa****ngton, DC February 13, 2008
Colombia: U.S. Citizens Pass Five Years as Hostages of the Revolutionary
Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC)
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the kidnapping of Marc Gonsalves,
Thomas
Howes, and Keith Stansell by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC),
a Foreign Terrorist Organization designated by U.S. law. The American
contractors were conducting a joint U.S.-Colombian aerial counternarcotics
reconnaissance mission on February 13, 2003, when their aircraft made an
emergency landing due to mechanical failure. FARC members patrolling the
area
reached the aircraft and murdered two crew members, Thomas Jannis, the
American
pilot, and Luis Cruz, a Colombian Army sergeant. Marc, Thomas, and Keith
were
taken hostage by the FARC terrorists, beginning what is today a five-year
ordeal.
The United States calls on the FARC to immediately release all hostages so
they
may be returned safely to their families. We hold the FARC responsible for
the
health and well-being of all hostages. The United States firmly sup****ts
the
Government of Colombia in its efforts to achieve the safe recovery of all
of the
hostages, some of whom have now been held for ten years. We have sup****ted
and
continue to sup****t any credible initiative by any leader or organization,
in
coordination with the Government of Colombia, to achieve the safe recovery
of
all of the hostages. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the hostages and
their
loved ones.
2008/106
Released on February 13, 2008
-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
Military News and Information Editor (http://www.13105320634.com)
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