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Jerusalem, December 22, 2003
Statement by FM Silvan Shalom on the release of hostages in Colombia
(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)
I would like to express my heart-felt happiness on the release of the four
Israelis and the British
citizen who were kidnapped and held by the ELN in Colombia for the past
several months.
I would also like to express the deep gratitude of the Israeli Government
and people to
everyone who contributed to the tireless and non-stop efforts to reach this
moment. First and
foremost, I would like to thank the government of Colombia and its President
Alvaro Uribe
along with all representatives of the Church who negotiated for the release
of the hostages.
Over the past months, we have stood with the families of the hostages as
they dealt with this
difficult situation and patiently waited for the return of their loved ones.
I would like to thank the team formed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
the staff at the
Embassy in Bogota, headed by Ambassador Yair Recanati who spared no effort
in aiding
release efforts and was available for hostage family members during their
most difficult hours.
The release of the hostages during the holiday of Hannukah adds light and
joy to every home in
Israel. I hope that the families that have been reunited with their loved
ones will return to us and
light the last Hannukah candles here in Israel.
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