Home | China | World | Business FARC Urged to Free Kidnapped Presidential Candidate MON, FEB 25, 2002     The Colombian government has asked the country's largest guerrilla group to explain the kidnapping of presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and set her free as soon as possible, Interior Minister Armando Estrada Villa announced on Sunday. Betancourt, 40, leader of the New Colombia movement, was abducted by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after she ignored warnings from the armed forces and traveled Saturday to the former rebel-controled neutral zone in the south. "The government of President Andres Pastrana hopes that, for the good of the country and our democratic institutions, Dr. Ingrid would be permitted to return to her family and her political movement quickly," said the minister. Meanwhile, Villa confirmed the release of Adair Lamprea, coordinator of Betancourt's presidential campaign, French photographer Alain Keler of the Marie Claire magazine and cameraman Mauricio Mesafour, who were accompanying the independent candidate when the kidnapping occurred on Saturday. However, Betancourt's campaign director Clara Rojas is still in rebel hands, the minister added. Villa regretted that Betancourt did not pay attention to the authorities' warning against travelling to the former rebel safe haven. "We regret this action, and we call on those holding Ingrid Betancourt to respect her life and release her," he said. He added that politicians should act with discretion and prudence instead of intrepid and bold actions as the harm sometimes must be borne by the whole country. The Switerland-sized area is now in government hands after President Pastrana broke off talks with the FARC on Wednesday. Betancourt had planned to arrive at San Vicente del Caguan in Caqueta province, the largest of the five main towns of the former rebel-held territory, seeking to be the first presidential candidate to enter this area since governmental troops swept in on Saturday. "I am going to San Vicente to demand guarantees for civilians in the area and to tell residents there that I am keeping my promise to stand by them," said Betancourt before leaving. Earlier opinion polls showed that the presidential candidate's support grew slightly. Elections is scheduled for May 26. Editor:Zhong Source:Xinhua Recommend to your friend email:    China Central Television,All Rights Reserved