American contractors to DoD working on drug interdiction.

R-i-i-i-ight.

B

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Betancourt: Rescue in Colombia was 'impeccable'
By FRANK BAJAK, Associated Press Writer
1 minute ago

BOGOTA, Colombia - Colombian spies tricked leftist rebels into handing over kidnapped presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. military contractors Wednesday in a daring helicopter rescue so successful that not a single shot was fired.

Betancourt, who was seized on the campaign trail six long years ago, appeared thin but healthy as she strode down the stairs of a military plane and held her mother in a long embrace.

"Thank you for your impeccable operation," she told top military commanders. "The operation was perfect."

Eleven Colombian police and soldiers were also freed in the rescue, the most serious blow ever dealt to the 44-year-old Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which considered the four hostages their most valuable bargaining chips. The FARC is already reeling from the deaths of key commanders and the loss of much of the territory it once held.

Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said military intelligence agents infiltrated the guerrilla ranks and led the local commander in charge of the hostages, alias Cesar, to believe they were going to take them to Alfonso Cano, the guerrillas' supreme leader.

The hostages, who had been divided in three groups, were taken to a rallying point where two disguised helicopters piloted by Colombian military agents were waiting. Betancourt said her hands and feet were bound.

"We were frustrated because we were handcuffed," she said. "We were very indignant, very humiliated."

Only when the helicopters were airborne did military crewmembers reveal their identity, she said.

"The chief of the operation said, `We're the national army. You're free,'" she said, adding that the hostages were so shocked, it was as if "the helicopter almost fell from the sky."

Santos said Cesar and another rebel on board "were neutralized." He didn't elaborate, but said they were unhurt and would soon face justice. Santos said the other rebel captors retreated into the jungle and the army let them escape "in hopes that they will free the rest of the hostages," believed to number about 700.

The operation, Santos said, "will go into history for its audacity and effectiveness."

"We wanted to have it happen as it did today," added armed forces chief Gen. Freddy Padilla. "Without a single shot. Without anyone wounded. Absolutely safe and sound, without a scratch."

At a Bogota ceremony with top military commanders, the freed hostages walked up to a microphone one by one, identified themselves by name and rank, and thanked their rescuers. Some had been held for a dozen years, captured when rebels overran military outposts.

Last to speak was the French-Colombian Betancourt, who wore military fatigues and a floppy camouflage hat as she hugged her mother, Yolanda Pulecio, and her husband, Juan Carlos LeCompte. She removed her hat to reveal intricately braided dark hair, with plaits framing her face and a white flower.

In Paris, her son Lorenzo Delloye-Betancourt called her release "the most beautiful news of my life." He and other relatives were flying to Colombia to join her.

The Americans — Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell — were flying directly to the United States to reunite with their families, Santos said.

They had been the longest-held American hostages in the world.

Gonsalves' father George was mowing the yard of his Hebron, Connecticut, home when an excited neighbor relayed the news he had seen on television: "I didn't know how to stop my lawnmower. I was shocked. I couldn't believe it."

"We're still teary-eyed and not quite have our wits about us," said Stansell's stepmother Lynne.

U.S. President George W. Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy congratulated Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

Santos renewed the government's offer to negotiate with the reeling rebel movement, who many believe is nearing the end of its four-decade fight. Battlefield losses and widespread desertions have cut rebel numbers in half to about 9,000 as the United States has poured billions of dollars in military aid into Colombia.

This year, historic leader Manuel Marulanda died of a reported heart attack, and two other top commanders were killed. The rest are hunkered down in remote jungle and mountain hideouts, unable to communicate effectively.

Santos said Colombia had infiltrated the rebels' seven-man ruling secretariat, but did not elaborate.

"The government reiterates to them that if they want to enter into serious negotiations in good faith, we are offering a dignified peace," Santos said.

U.S. presidential candidate John McCain said Uribe had told him in advance of the rescue plans while he was campaigning in Colombia. "It's a very high-risk operation," he said. "I congratulate President Uribe, the military and the nation of Colombia."

Betancourt, 46, was abducted in February 2002. The Americans were captured a year after Betancourt when their drug surveillance plane went down in rebel-held jungle.

In the five years since their abduction, their families had received only two "proof of life" videos, the latest in November.

That tape also showed the first images since 2003 of Betancourt. Along with letters and reports from other hostages, they showed a once-vibrant, confident woman slowly succumbing to Hepatitis B, tropical skin diseases and depression. One former hostage said Betancourt was kept chained to a tree after trying to escape. There was no immediate word on Betancourt's condition.

Former Betancourt aide Clara Rojas, who was kidnapped with her boss and freed in January, called the rescue "an enormous relief" and said she hoped the FARC would "take a rational decision to free the rest of the hostages."

___

That was very interesting news to see today.

Colombia has made MAJOR progress taking out FARC's leadership in recent months. In addition to killing 2/7 leaders, they've also confirmed Manuel "Sure Shots" death and cast doubts on the Pres of Venezuela and Ecuador's veracity in offering to negociate an end to the 45 y/o Socialist guerrilla war.

Colombia will be much better off w/o FARC and the AUC who have become equally as druggy and bloody. A purge of the Colombian military that has helped the AUC with intelligence in their fight with FARC would be good for the country as well.

It is a beautiful country,with good people and lots of opportunities. They are being held in check while the Gov, FARC and AUC duke it out and the poeple pay the price.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

amazing how these things happen in an election year....

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Maybe, but which candidate in OUR elections would this benefit? I can't see how it would benefit either one really.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Now, if Dubya was to announce that he had found a multi-billion barrell oil well on his ranch in Crawford, then the Republicans prospects might be greatly enhanced.

Somehow it looks to me like the the Dems may screw this election up yet again in spite of the Republicans' best efforts to give it to them without a fight.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Really.. Next thing you know Bin Laden will be waltzed out on a stick with his hands & feel bound to it like some old Bugs Bunny African safari cartoon....

__________________
Sharing my partner's 2012 Forte 5dr SX til I find my next 123 or 126..
-
Do I miss being a service advisor ???

I heard he'll be appearing as a surprise guest on Dancing With The Stars . . . .

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I knew you had a sense of humor....

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

I'd be okay with that. And then, "Death by ummagumma!"

That's funny, right there. I don't care who you are!

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Finally, those old Che t-shirts are good for something other than buttwipe.....

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/07/03/awesome-colombian-army-duped-farc-by-wearing-che-t-shirts/?print=1

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Civilization
In
Action

"Contractors"

If I were to know anyone that ever had anything to do with the CIA I think they would call it Culinary Institute of America.

Anywhoooooo

U.S. SF were on hand my ass, just like the bullet the killed Pablo. Despite his claims on the news I bet Chavez's red shirt it soaking from the sweat, an operation like this is proof that anyone can be plucked from almost anywhere.