FARC girl must be rescued, says Betancourt

The Dutch government must act quickly to rescue Tanja Nijmeijer, the young Dutch woman who has been with FARC anti-government guerillas in Colombia since 2004.


The plea came from the Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt during an interview with tv news programme Nova on Thursday night.
Betancourt was held captive by FARC for six years. She was freed in July 2008.
The Colombian said she is very worried about the fate of Nijmeijer who could be in danger if FARC feel she has betrayed them.
In 2007 a diary by Tanja was found in which she made critical comments about the rebel group. There has been no further sign of her since January 2008.
Betancourt told Nova the FARC is a diabolical organisation which punishes its own members.
In 2007, the Dutch foreign ministry admitted it had high-level contact with the Colombian authorities but refused to give details.

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