GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org
US Greens elated, relieved at news of Columbian Green Party leader Ingrid Betancourt's rescue
WASHINGTON, DC -- US Green Party leaders expressed gratitude and relief after learning of Ingrid Betancourt's rescue on Wednesday after she had been held hostage by Colombian rebels since 2002.
Ms. Betancourt, who served as national legislator in Colombia, ran for President as member of the Partido Verde Oxígeno (Oxygen Green Party), and led campaigns against political corruption, was a special friend to US Greens.
At the recent Global Greens Congress, held in May in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Ms. Betancourt was made President of Honor of the Global Greens Coordination, the 12-member Steering Committee of the Global Greens.
http://www.globalgreens.org/ggc/ggc_homepage
http://www.globalgreens.org/brazil2008/resolutions/ingrid_betancourt
"We are thrilled that Ingrid Betancourt's captivity has ended, and we can only imagine the suffering she experienced during the past six and a half years," said Carl Romanelli, Pennsylvania Green and member of the party's International Committee. "We're happy not just for Ms. Betancourt, but also for her family and friends after their long and agonizing wait."
Greens thanked the international movement of individuals and groups who worked hard to secure her release, and affirmed their dedication to freedom for the many hostages still held and to a diplomatic and nonviolent solution to the armed conflict in Colombia. Greens also expressed congratulations to the families of the American hostages who were rescued.
Juan Carlos Lecompte, Ms. Betancourt's husband, is scheduled to attend the US Green Party's 2008 National Convention in Chicago, July 10-13. Party leaders are waiting to learn whether Ms. Betancourt's rescue will result in a change of plans, but either way, the National Convention will celebrate her freedom, as Greens are celebrating in well over 100 nations.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
Green parties declare: "Free Ingrid Betancourt and Clara Rojas!" http://www.greens.org/ingrid/free_ingrid.htm
International Committee of the Green Party http://www.gp.org/committees/intl/
2008 Green National Convention, July 10-13 in Chicago, Illinois
• Media credentialing page: http://www.gp.org/forms/media
• Updated convention information and schedule: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=68
• Convention press kit: http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml
• General information on the convention: http://www.greenparty2008.org
• Green Presidential Candidates: http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml
More Green links
• Video of Green presidential candidates http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php
• Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
• Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
• Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
• Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections
No comments:
Post a Comment