PARIS (AFP) — The sister of hostage Ingrid Betancourt, held by Colombian rebels, said Saturday efforts to secure her release would not succeed unless Paris guaranteed the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) "positive compensation" in return.
"Given the way the humanitarian mission stands, it is unlikely that the guerillas will give a positive response," Astrid Betancourt told AFP.
A three-nation humanitarian mission has been launched to help the French-Colombian hostage, believed to be seriously ill.
But there was no guarantee that Betancourt's rebel captors would allow the medical mission to see the former Colombian presidential candidate, who has spent six years in captivity.
It was crucial for FARC to understand that release from custody would be a catalyst to a process bring them positive compensation, as President Nicolas Sarkozy had promised, said Betancourt's sister.
France's humanitarian mission with Spain and Switzerland has yet to show any signs of success.
Sarkozy had indicated France might help FARC it clean up its tarnished "terrorist" organisation status if it released hostages.
Astrid Betancourt stressed how crucial it was for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to cease military operations in hostage zones, in order to broker trust and to reach an agreement with the rebels.
Uribe's government has agreed to suspend military operations against the FARC to allow the deployment of the mission.
Last week, Uribe's government suggested it would release an unspecified number of rebels from prison if Betancourt and other hostages were freed.
The leftist guerrilla movement has been fighting government forces for more than 40 years and controls huge swathes of the country.
It is believed to be holding more than 700 people. It wants to exchange 39 hostages, including Ingrid Betancourt, in return for 500 imprisoned guerillas.
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