Betancourt: what the papers say

Last Modified: 03 Jul 2008
By: Channel 4 News

As Colombia frees 15 Farc-held hostages, the world's press focuses on Nicholas Sarkozy's heartfelt thanks and Ingrid Betancourt's hope to serve as Colombian president.

Colombia's main paper El Tiempo this morning reported on the freeing of 15 Farc hostages, including the politician Ingrid Betancourt.

Calling the operation more significant than the death of Farc's second-in-command Raúl Reyes on the Ecuadorean border in March, it describes how last year's rescue of a kidnapped policeman gave key insights into the rebels' methods.

In Ecuador the news was beaten to the top spot by a national football victory in a country known both for its love of the game and sympathy for the Farc cause. In fact, newspaper Hoy attributes Colombia's success to copying "ingenious ideas from the enemy to carry out the rescue".

In Venezuela, another county also known to sympathise with the rebels' aims, El Universal choose to focus on Betancourt's reaction.

"Thanks to the army of my country Colombia, for your impeccable operation. It was perfect".

In France Le Monde reports that President Sarkozy, himself part of the negotiations which saw the half-French Betancourt released last night, thanked Alvaro Uribe, the Colombian president, "from the bottom of my heart".

Another French paper, Liberation, not known for its unbridled support of Sarkozy, declares that the operation was "100 per cent Colombian". In fact, the quote is attributed to the Colombian defence minister who says the US "played no role".

But one can't help but wonder if the subs were having a veiled dig at the French president.

"The martyrdom of Ingrid Betancourt is the martyrdrom of France."
Nicholas Sarkozy

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Le Figaro has no such qualms about allowing Sarkozy to bask in a little reflected glory. They focus on Betancourt's apparent plans to "leave as soon as possible for France to meet President Nicholas Sarkozy".

In the US, the Washington Post reports that while the US is certainly praising Bogota for a "Colombia-planned, -led and -executed operation", the US ambassador to the country has reportedly said the American military did play a role.

The New York Times also firmly casts Colombia in the role of rescuer, but adds the White House "provided specific support" to the operation.

In the UK, the Guardian says that almost as soon as she was released, Betancourt reaffirmed her hope "to serve Colombia as president".

While the Daily Telegraph reports on Nicholas Sarkozy announcing his willingness to travel to Colombia himself to rescue Ingrid Betancourt, clearly before news of her release had reached the French president.

"The Farc must know and understand that the martyrdom of Ingrid Betancourt is the martyrdrom of France," Sarkozy said.

In Spain El Pais focuses on Betancourt's pledge to continue fighting for those still held by Farc and on the emotional reunion with her mother.