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Chavez Farc hostage plan approved Chavez Farc hostage plan approved
(30 minutes later)
The Colombian government has approved a plan by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to send planes into Colombia to pick up rebel-held hostages.The Colombian government has approved a plan by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to send planes into Colombia to pick up rebel-held hostages.
The Colombian rebel group, Farc, said it would free two hostages and a child but only to Mr Chavez.The Colombian rebel group, Farc, said it would free two hostages and a child but only to Mr Chavez.
Colombia agreed but said any Venezuelan aircraft entering its territory must bear Red Cross markings.Colombia agreed but said any Venezuelan aircraft entering its territory must bear Red Cross markings.
Mr Chavez's mediation broke down last month when Colombian President Alvaro Uribe told him to end negotiations.Mr Chavez's mediation broke down last month when Colombian President Alvaro Uribe told him to end negotiations.
The left-wing Farc has been fighting the Colombian government for more than four decades and holds dozens of hostages. The left-wing Farc has been fighting the Colombian government for more than four decades and holds more than 40 hostages.
ExchangeExchange
Mr Chavez had told reporters in Venezuela's capital, Caracas: "The only thing we need is authorisation from the Colombian government. We hope they will cooperate with us."Mr Chavez had told reporters in Venezuela's capital, Caracas: "The only thing we need is authorisation from the Colombian government. We hope they will cooperate with us."
Colombian Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo in Bogota then announced the approval of Mr Chavez's plan, paving the way for the trio to be picked up within hours.Colombian Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo in Bogota then announced the approval of Mr Chavez's plan, paving the way for the trio to be picked up within hours.
The rebels have offered to free Clara Rojas, a former presidential candidate's aide captured in 2002, and her young son Emmanuel, who was reportedly fathered by one of her guerrilla captors.The rebels have offered to free Clara Rojas, a former presidential candidate's aide captured in 2002, and her young son Emmanuel, who was reportedly fathered by one of her guerrilla captors.
The deal would be the biggest hostage release in recent yearsThe deal would be the biggest hostage release in recent years
The other hostage is former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez, who was kidnapped in 2001.The other hostage is former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez, who was kidnapped in 2001.
The Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) said it would release the three as a goodwill gesture. The Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) have offered to release the three as a humanitarian gesture.
But it wants to exchange the rest of its hostages for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas. The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says the rebels have got what they wanted by embarrassing their sworn enemy, Alvaro Uribe, a US ally.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says the rebels have got what they wanted by embarrassing their sworn enemy, Alvaro Uribe. He says they have also put pressure on Mr Uribe to grant their request that he demilitarise a large area of south-western Colombia in which to hold negotiations for the liberation of the remaining hostages.
The Colombian president has been opposed to any exchange, insisting it would simply encourage the guerrillas to kidnap. The Colombian president has been opposed to any exchange for rebel prisoners, insisting it would simply encourage the guerrillas to kidnap.
The deal would be the highest-profile hostage release during the presidency of Mr Uribe, who took office in 2002. The freeing of the two women and a child would be the highest-profile hostage release during the presidency of Mr Uribe, who took office in 2002.
Ms Rojas, a 44-year-old lawyer and politician, was kidnapped nearly six years ago along with Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian national, during the latter's presidential campaign.Ms Rojas, a 44-year-old lawyer and politician, was kidnapped nearly six years ago along with Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian national, during the latter's presidential campaign.
Mr Chavez has said he hopes another group of hostages might be freed later, including Ms Betancourt, whose release French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been seeking.Mr Chavez has said he hopes another group of hostages might be freed later, including Ms Betancourt, whose release French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been seeking.