Freed Colombian Hostage Ingrid Betancourt To Write Play About Her Ordeal

Times Of London:

Ingrid Betancourt is to return to Colombia shortly to begin work on a play about her harrowing experience being held for six years in the jungle by Marxist rebels.

After receiving a heroine's reception in France, where she became a cause celebre during her long ordeal, Ms Betancourt told Le Journal du Dimanche: "I shall return to Colombia in a few days. Meanwhile I want to see France, all of France. But I also want to be alone with my children ... I want to give this time to my family, to the father of my children whom I adore, who fought an extraordinary fight for me."

Asked whether she would write a book about her experience, the French-Colombian politician surprised everyone by saying: "I'll write a play."

Read the whole story: Times Of London

Comments

[ThermoChemist]

I'm glad the hostages were finally released from their long captivity.

That being said, I was wondering how long it would be before FOX News attributed the release to McCain's recent visit to Colombia; a la Reagan and the Iran Hostage Crisis which ended Jan. 1981. Fortunately (or unfortunately?), FOX didn't fail to disappoint.

As the news broke, Fox News was ALREADY spinning it as a victory for McCain and speculating that it came about as a result of the senator’s visit to the country:

SMITH: ...McCain’s been over in Colombia. He was over there just yesterday. Is there a sense the timing is coincidental, or something more?

HARRIGAN: ...So there really MIGHT BE A CONNECTION between the high-level visit of the former POW, McCain himself, and the release now of 3 American prisoners here in southern Colombia.

The rescue had NOTHING to do with McCain. MSNBC reported that McCain met with Colombian President Uribe and was informed that a rescue plan was imminent. He did NOT have any strategic role in the operation, despite what Fox News is trying to claim.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/02/mccain-colombia/#more-25636
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jJaYKcOF6IpYZDLaJur12Nw69PxQD91LU7DO0

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/07/02/mccain-backer-timing-of-hostage-release-was-fortuitous/
McCain said the rescue of 15 hostages from Colombian rebels had NOTHING to do with his trip to the country.

Yet ANOTHER example of FOX's "fairly unbalanced" reporting (?).

[southafrica4obama]

The US, France and Colombia paid Millions for the rescue

[steamboat]

Do you have proof? ......if the rescuers did cost alot, it was money well spent.

[southafrica4obama]

Proof or no proof, this is reality. Do you think these rebels would allow a helicopter in their milieu without their members hop on it? Or complain (however sarcastic it may) of the rescue? Think again.

[wmbear]

IF THE US WAS PARTLY BEHIND THE RESCUE...

It's one of the few clever and successful actions that the Bush/Cheney administration has participated in (aside from stealing elections, that is)....

[GayGrandpa]

Saving a great lady, a lover and a MOTHER is worth millions in my book, any day and every day! I say HOORAY!

Someone else had the audacity to write: "Only a French woman would think of writing a play after years of captivity. Anyone else would write a book."

How rude and ignorant! As an artist and a lover of the arts...I think it is ignorant to think that a play could not have A far reaching effect upon a nation and nations much more so than a book. How naive to think the arts are dead and have no power! She is right to write a play we will all go see it and learn! Support the arts! And the idea of art! Art saves lives...it always has. www.bobbruman.com

EVERY GOOD MOTHER IS WORTH MILLIONS! I say HOORAY! I say HOORAY! I say HOORAY!

A Wonderful Mother

GOD made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He molded her heart of gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks, fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.
And I say HOORAY!

[andresfusion]

The ministry of defense of Colombia actually address this rumor and he just said that 20 million would have been a bargain! they offered 100 million and that if they actually paid they would not hesitate to publicly acknowledge it, like they have done in the past since is part of their policy in order to give incentives to the terrorist to give up. However he did say they have paid millions for information and to plan and executive this flawless operation.

Great Work Colombia!

[southafrica4obama]

Bottomline, we cannot call this a success of tactic because ransom was disbursed. I'm happy the hostages were RELEASED.

[southafrica4obama]

where's comment?

[Witchitalineman]

What a wonderful outcome for all. Ingrid Betancourt is a heroine.

[Viper]

Well now that she has been a prisoner for 5 plus years... She is now qualified to be a President.


Regards

[ESerafina42]

Ha - good one! So are many of the detainees at Guantanamo, now that I think about it.

I've got to give her credit, though - everyone writes books when they've been through something like this. But a _play_ - now that's different!

[robbor]

not an opera??

[Destin]

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E4D6153BF934A25752C1A9679C8B63

There's an article talking about her book in 2001, and her fight against the Colombian govt who were on the cartel/farc payrolls. ;)