Uribe thanks Chavez despite fraught partnership

There has also been praise for Colombia’s President Alvaro Uribe who gave the green light to Chavez to begin mediation. At one point Uribe halted the process in anger over how Chavez was conducting the talks. But he joined in the tributes to has counterpart after the successful outcome: “We’ve won the freedom of two compatriots thanks to the efforts of President Hugo Chavez, to whom we give infinite thanks,” he said. “However we regret the continuing plight of the the remaining hostages.”

He went on to outline efforts to secure their release, including the creation of a neutral zone
in the jungle to facilitate talks with the rebels.

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