Colombian hostage calls for rebel-government talks

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

CALI, Colombia (AFP) — A former Colombian lawmaker captured by FARC rebels a year ago accused the guerrillas and the government of "cruelty and barbarism" for refusing to negotiate a prisoner swap deal, in a video clip made public Saturday.

"This is the last chance" rebel-held hostages have to "come back alive," Sigfredo Lopez said in the recording made in October and turned over to the Roman Catholic Church by the rebels to prove their captive was still alive.

Lopez, the only survivor among 12 lawmakers who died in captivity last year, urged the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the government of President Alvaro Uribe to end their stalemate and negotiate a prisoner swap deal.

The FARC is holding some 750 hostages, including 39 high-profile...