The Great Escape

**Marshal Murat** · 07-04-2008, 17:00

Are you saying that those Imperialist Americans and puppet Colombians used force rather than peaceful negotiations? And this force was able to succeed?

Man, they told us force never solved anything.

**Ronin** · 07-04-2008, 17:29

No force was used....the rebels were infiltrated and were tricked into thinking a humanitarian mission was coming in...

ups..it wasn´t an humanitarian mission..it was the colombian army...

OWNED!

**Sigurd** · 07-04-2008, 17:40

I just heard on the radio that the rescue operation was staged and apparently USA paid FARC $20 million for the hostages.
This is coming from a so-called trusted source and was first reported by a French-speaking Swiss radio channel.

**GeneralHankerchief** · 07-04-2008, 17:44

Originally Posted by Sigurd Fafnesbane

I just heard on the radio that the rescue operation was staged and apparently USA paid FARC $20 million for the hostages.
This is coming from a so-called trusted source and was first reported by a French-speaking Swiss radio channel.

I highly doubt that. The USA is well-known for not negotiating with terrorists.

Supposedly they got the hostages back without firing a shot. That should make for a great movie one day.

What a great 4th of July present for the families!

**macsen rufus** · 07-04-2008, 17:52

"Operation Checkmate" will go down as one of the most skilfully planned and daringly executed anti-insurgent actions ever undertaken by any government.

It certainly will, if all went as it's told here. But a niggle at the back of my mind was saying just what Sigurd's post mentioned - I'd rather believe it is true brilliance and a glaring example of Colombia's massive leap forwards, rather than a fraud to cover a pay-out. Either way, I'm glad some people are finally going home.... only 700 to go.

**Fragony** · 07-04-2008, 17:55

Hoax.

**Adrian II** · 07-04-2008, 18:27

Ingrid Betancourt is about the best thing $20 million can buy. I am looking forward to the book, it is bound to be a lot better than García Márquez' News of a Kidnapping.

I wouldn't be surprised if it is found to be a hoax. The U.S. has been secretly dealing with terrorists for many years, providing them with arms, money, training, all sorts of facilities.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 07-04-2008, 19:25

Yes, but those were terrorists we liked, terrorists who fought against FARC type terrorists.

The news of a payout is just from sour grapes, I suspect.

What, if anything, should be done now as a follow on? Press them to join talks from this position of weakness, or strike hard and fast?

Strike them hard and fast. They represent no-one but a drug cartel, no one with a legitimate grievance.

Why talk with them? They should only end up with their cause and organization completely destroyed. The route of force Uribe has taken has proved very successful. Talks would only give them time to breath and regroup.

CR