Posted on 07/26/2004 12:42:53 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
BOGOTA, Colombia -- Colombia's smaller leftist rebel group kidnapped a Catholic bishop but planned to set him free bearing a political message for the government, church officials said Monday.
Monsignor Fabian Marulanda, secretary-general of the Bishop's Conference, said Misael Vaca Ramirez, the Bishop of Yopal, was taken by members of the National Liberation Army, or ELN, on Sunday near the town of Morcote, 220 miles northeast of the capital, Bogota.
He said the ELN had informed the church that Vaca Ramirez would be released unharmed at an unspecified date with a message for the government.
ELN leaders have been trying to find common ground recently for peace talks with the government. The group has led a 40-year-old insurrection against the government.
The ELN's high command sent an open letter to the president of Colombia's senate on Monday that made no mention of Vaca Ramirez's kidnapping but urged lawmakers to play a greater role in an eventual peace process.
The group reiterated its three demands for the holding of peace talks: an accord limiting the use of land mines, the release from jail of all ELN prisoners, and a bilateral cease-fire.
"Today we still don't have a concrete response (from the government) to the three points," the communique said. "The ELN's commitment to peace is irrevocable."
President Alvaro Uribe has said he is ready to suspend offensive operations against the ELN if the group first declares a cessation of hostilities. He has not publicly commented, however, on the demand for the release of prisoners.
The hard-line Uribe is keen to reach a peace deal with the ELN. He already has his hands full with the larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which has all-but ruled out negotiations.
The ELN kidnapped eight foreign backpackers from northern mountains in September but released them several months later after church officials agreed to tour the area to investigate the plight of impoverished Indians.
Colombia's conflict claims an estimated 3,500 lives every year.
ELN was founded by a bunch of leftwing priests, and many of its members still seem to come out of that same line. Liberation theology run amok.
Rabelais wrote about similar situation:
"... But they got our monk! Brother Jean is with them...
-Really? Then they'll regret it..."
So, as one can see, even since 16th century grabbing a cleric was bringing only bad luck, and nothing else. They are best avoided.
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