US urges diplomacy in Bogota row

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7275732.stm

US urges diplomacy in Bogota row

The US has urged Colombia and Ecuador to seek a diplomatic solution

to the crisis sparked when Bogota sent troops over the border to

target Farc rebels.

Senior rebel leader Reyes and 16 other militants died in the

raid.

The incident sparked diplomatic fury from Ecuador and Venezuela,

which have both moved troops to the border area.

A top Bogota official meanwhile accused both Venezuela and Ecuador of

having ties with the Farc, and said the rebels had tried to buy

uranium.

National police chief Naranjo said his information had come

from documents found during the raid on the rebel camp in Ecuador.

" When they mention negotiations for 50 kilos of uranium, this means

that the Farc are taking big steps in the world of terrorism to

become a global aggressor. We're not talking of domestic guerrilla

but transnational terrorism, " said Gen Naranjo.

Other documents showed that Venezuela's President Chavez had provided

$300m (£151m) to the Farc, and had received funds from them many

years earlier, he said.

And there was also evidence of links between the Farc and

representatives of the Ecuadorean government, Gen Naranjo said.

" This unmasks the relations of the Farc with a series of governments,

with a series of personalities, some public, some more sinister, " Gen

Naranjo said.

In the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, senior figures poured scorn on

the claims that Mr Chavez had financed the rebels.

" We are accustomed to the lies of the Colombian government, " said

Vice-President Ramon Carrizalez. " Whatever they say has no

importance.

" They can invent anything now to try to get out of that violation of

Ecuadorean territory that they committed. "

Ecuadorean President Correa angrily denied the suggestion that

his administration had links with the rebels.

" They said we had a pact with terrorists, and that is completely

false, " he said during a cabinet meeting.

" We are dealing with an extremely cynical government. "

Both Ecuador and Venezuela have withdrawn their ambassadors from

Bogota in the wake of the incursion.

Ecuador was flying troops by helicopter towards the border area on

Monday, while President Chavez said tanks and troops were being

deployed.

Voices urge restraint

As the crisis threatened to deepen, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

added his voice to those calling for restraint.

" The secretary general is concerned about the increased tensions and

heightened rhetoric emerging over the weekend involving Colombia and

its neighbours, Ecuador and Venezuela, " a UN statement said.

Brazil and other regional powers have also urged calm. Spain and a

number of Latin American countries have offered to mediate in the

dispute.

In Washington, a state department spokesman backed Colombia's right

to defend itself and urged dialogue.

" From our perspective this is an issue between Colombia and Ecuador, "

Tom Casey added.

" I'm not sure what this has to do with Venezuela. "

Colombia's government has received billions of dollars in aid from

Washington to fight the Farc.

Colombia's foreign minister said he regretted that troops had to

cross the border, but said it had been necessary " in the fight

against terrorism " .

" The Colombian government has never wanted to disrespect or violate

the sovereignty or integrity of the sister republic of Ecuador, "

Araujo said.

Hostage fears

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner meanwhile said the death of

Reyes was " bad news " , as he had been France's contact in its efforts

to free French-Colombian Farc hostage Ingrid Betancourt.

" It is bad news that the man we were talking to, with whom we had

contacts, has been killed, " Mr Kouchner said on France Inter radio.

Ms Betancourt, a former Colombian presidential candidate, has been

held for six years and is said to be in very poor health.

Six hostages have been released since Mr Chavez began efforts to win

their freedom.

Colombia initially invited him to mediate, but later tried to exclude

him from the process.