2002 / february / 25
ingrid betancourt kidnapped in columbia
a few months ago, i read a long interview with
ingrid betancourt, which left me very impressed.
she left a safe life in france to return to her
native country columbia, knowing that she could do more there than far away,
but also that it would be so dangerous that her husband and children
had to stay in europe, pretty much in hiding,
not to mention that she needs fulltime bodyguards herself.
her message against corruption, as expressed in books, interviews
with (mostly foreign, ie. non-columbian papers) is simply too
dangerous. a woman of incredible courage, intelligence, wit and heart.
she talked about the real danger not being the extreme forces on left and
right, but the complaceny with the people who should know better -
especially the press. she didn't come across as an extremist to me,
rather the opposite - reasonable, just outspoken in a country where
not many dare to speak out.
rebel forces
kidnapped her yesterday - so far, the news coverage has been rather tepid.
as if's was just another columbian politician. she isn't. it's as if the
global media just follow what the columbian media report, with lukewarm
articles as a result. They should be on fire! Especially the BBC!
i hope she makes it through - for her, and for the sake of honesty
in a country that needs it badly.
here's a
small article
from the same paper that last year ran the full-page
interview - with a photo that captures the essence of her choice
(it's much more impressive than the small thumb on the right).
very touching (article's in dutch).
