The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-03

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Betancourt Freed

Sources: REUTERS

Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt was as shocked as her rebel captors when the aid workers supposedly transporting her to a new location turned out to be government soldiers on a rescue mission. The operation on Wednesday to free the former presidential candidate, three Americans and 11 other hostages relied on trickery against the four-decade-old FARC guerrilla group. Soldiers posed as members of a fictitious nongovernmental organization sympathetic to the rebels and pretended to fly the hostages by helicopter to meet with rebel leader Alfonso Cano. "We were forced to get on the helicopter handcuffed, which was very humiliating," a pale but smiling Betancourt told reporters from the Bogota air force base where she was reunited with her mother after six years in rebel captivity. "Then, all of a sudden, they disarmed the two guerrillas who were on the helicopter with us and the chief of the operation shouted, We are the Colombian army and you are free!" she said. "The helicopter almost crashed because we all started clapping and screaming and jumping up and down." A tearful Betancourt, who the left-wing guerrillas often forced to sleep chained by the neck, thanked Colombias army for what she called its audacious and "impeccably executed" rescue. She also thanked a captive army nurse who helped her survive her ordeal, marked by malnutrition, insect bites and jungle diseases. The nurse, William Perez, was rescued in the same operation as Betancourt.

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Colombia hostage Betancourt freed

[02] In Asian Trading

03 Ιουλ 2008 08:54:0

By Athina Saloustrou

Oil prices exceeded Thursday for the first time the historic threshold of $145 in the Asian trading. Brent posted a 75-cent rise, reaching $145.01 per barrel. Crude oil for August delivery rose 70 cents to $144.27 per dollar.

Translated by Areti Christou

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article