COLOMBIA: The husband of kidnapped Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt has appealed to Ireland to use its influence with the EU to appeal for her release.
Juan Carlos Lecompte has also asked Sinn Féin to condemn the kidnapping, as he believes this might influence the guerrilla captors holding his wife.
Ms Betancourt, a candidate in Colombia's last presidential elections and a member of the Green Party, was abducted by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) more than three years ago.
Green Party members hosted a visit to Galway yesterday by Mr Lecompte, who is undertaking a series of visits throughout Europe to highlight her case and those of others held by Farc.
He recently published Au Nom d'Ingrid, an account of his life with Ms Betancourt.
Mr Lecompte has met Tánaiste Mary Harney, Minister of State for European Affairs Noel Treacy, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent and party colleagues, and Sinn Féin representative, including Mary Lou McDonald MEP.
He has appealed to the Government to support Ms Betancourt's call, relayed in a video released by her captors, for a humanitarian exchange of prisoners held in Colombian jails for the civilian hostages. Mr Lecompte believes a condemnation of her kidnapping by Sinn Féin would be "very influential". He said he had been given no guarantees when he met Sinn Féin representatives this week.
Ms Betancourt has two children, Melanie (20) and Lorenzo (17), by a previous marriage. Mr Lecompte recounted how he flew over the Colombian jungle last month and released photographs of them. "I have no idea if she is still alive, but I am hoping that she will have seen those photographs and know how her children are."
Mr Treacy told Mr Lecompte that the Government shared his concern about the plight of his wife and the many others held hostage in Colombia.
