COLOMBIA: HUMANITARIAN EFFORT TO FREE MISSIONARIES HELD HOSTAGE

Описание: (17 Apr 1998) English/Nat

The wives of three hostages thought to be held by Colombian guerillas have joined two former hostages in a humanitarian mission to the country in a bid to secure their release.

Former Beirut hostages Terry Anderson and Terry Waite have issued a humanitarian plea for the release of David Mankins, Mark Rich and Richard Tenenoff who were kidnapped on January 31, 1993.

The self-appointed envoys believe the three missionaries are still alive.

The wives of the three American missionaries said to have been kidnapped by Colombian guerrillas five years ago arrived in Bogota on Thursday, accompanied by two former Beirut hostages.

Terry Anderson and Terry Waite arrived in the Colombian capital with the women, seeking the release of David Mankins, Mark Rich and Richard Tenenoff.

The three missionaries were kidnapped on January 31, 1993, in southern Panama by what are thought to have been guerrillas, and taken across the border to Colombia.

Anderson and Waite say their mission is a private one that has not been sponsored by any political group.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This is purely a private humanitarian mission. We've had no contact with the U-S government, the Colombian government, the British government. We've had no contact with FARC or any of the other guerrilla groups that operate in this area. This is solely a private humanitarian mission."
SUPER CAPTION: Terry Anderson, Former hostage

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We are in nobody's political pocket. People can contact us with confidence. We hope they will."
SUPER CAPTION: Terry Waite, Former hostage

The former hostages and the wives of the three missionaries believe they are still alive.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Please, whoever has our husbands just release them. You'll gain nothing more by holding them. This is the very best time you could release them."
SUPER CAPTION: Nancy Tenenoff, Wife of hostage Richard Tenenoff

Anderson and Waite say they have had no contact with any Colombian rebel groups.

Guerillas initially demanded a five (m) million dollar ransom for the men, but nothing more has been heard from them.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...