15-11-2009, 10:59 AM
Colombia to release Venezuelans
The men's release would be a gesture of 'brotherly affection', Mr Uribe said
Colombia has said it will shortly release four members of the Venezuelan national guard who were detained on Colombian territory.
Colombia says they were stopped on Friday by its navy in a boat on a river in the border province of Vichada.
But President Alvaro Uribe said on Saturday they would be returned to the Venezuelan authorities.
There has been no comment from the Venezuelan government, which last week sent troops to the border region.
President Hugo Chavez, in deploying the forces, said a new US-Colombia military co-operation agreement set the stage for an invasion of his country.
Both Bogota and Washington dismiss the claims.
Mr Uribe said the troops would be released and sent home as a message of the "unbreakable affection" between the two countries.
"They should carry back the message that here there is brotherly affection for Venezuela and that affection is unbreakable," he said.
The Venezuelan guardsmen were arrested in Colombia's sparsely populated border department of Vichada, officials said.
Earlier this month, President Chavez urged his armed forces to be prepared for possible war.
He said the increased US access to Colombian bases would allow Washington to spy on Venezuela and attack strategic targets.
Bogota says the pact is aimed at fighting drug-traffickers and Marxist rebels within Colombia's own borders.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8360999.stm
The men's release would be a gesture of 'brotherly affection', Mr Uribe saidColombia has said it will shortly release four members of the Venezuelan national guard who were detained on Colombian territory.
Colombia says they were stopped on Friday by its navy in a boat on a river in the border province of Vichada.
But President Alvaro Uribe said on Saturday they would be returned to the Venezuelan authorities.
There has been no comment from the Venezuelan government, which last week sent troops to the border region.
President Hugo Chavez, in deploying the forces, said a new US-Colombia military co-operation agreement set the stage for an invasion of his country.
Both Bogota and Washington dismiss the claims.
Mr Uribe said the troops would be released and sent home as a message of the "unbreakable affection" between the two countries.
"They should carry back the message that here there is brotherly affection for Venezuela and that affection is unbreakable," he said.
The Venezuelan guardsmen were arrested in Colombia's sparsely populated border department of Vichada, officials said.
Earlier this month, President Chavez urged his armed forces to be prepared for possible war.
He said the increased US access to Colombian bases would allow Washington to spy on Venezuela and attack strategic targets.
Bogota says the pact is aimed at fighting drug-traffickers and Marxist rebels within Colombia's own borders.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8360999.stm
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.

