"News reached us this morning that Ingrid had been rescued along with three Americans who had been held for five years and eleven other hostages.

On her release, Ms Betancourt described how she and the other hostages had been handcuffed and loaded on to a helicopter, expecting to be moved to a different rebel camp. Once they were in the air, "something happened, I’m not quite sure what", she said, and her captors were on the floor. A soldier said: 'We are the Colombian National Army; you are free.' The helicopter nearly fell out of the sky with all the celebrations." She said that she still aspired "to serve Colombia as president". *

"In April 2001, I was privileged to meet Ingrid at the inaugural Global Greens Conference in Canberra.** Ingrid had an enormous impact on me. She spoke about putting your life on the line for what you believe – not something we have to face in Australia", said Ms Pennicuik.

"Hundreds of hostages have been held by the FARC rebels in terrible conditions in the jungles of Colombia. Many have lost their lives in captivity over the years."

"I hope that this rescue, the change in leadership in the FARC and the continued efforts of the leaders of all countries in the region and abroad to negotiate a peaceful solution, will result in the end of this long-running tragedy which has caused so much suffering and misery to the hostages, their families and friends and to the people of Colombia", she said.

* Times Online 3 July 2008

** Background video – Ingrid Betancourt speaks at Global Greens, Canberra 2001


For more information call, Sue Pennicuik 0409 055 875