bghttp://www.bgspravochnik.combgsprtavochnikFollowing the announcement of the release of Ingrid Betancourt the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, made the following statement:
"I am very glad to hear of the release of the former Colombian Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages after a military operation by the Colombian army. The European Parliament shares their happiness and that of their loved ones. This ends their suffering which has lasted many years now. Their release clearly indicates that one must never give up hope.
I have written to President Uribe to congratulate him and his government for this successful operation. When I met President Uribe in Lima in May this year on the occasion of the EU-Latin America Caribbean summit we both agreed that democracy must never give in to terrorism and that the rule of law should prevail.
Nevertheless, our happiness can not be complete as long as other hostages are still being held in captivity. Our efforts must continue without cease in order to free all of them."
Ingrid Betancourt was abducted on 23 February 2002. Since then the European Parliament has been closely involved in all initiatives taken to obtain her release. In 2006 she was one of the three finalists for the Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought, together with the País Libre foundation.
great regret that the meetings between the envoys of the Dalai Lama - Mr Lodi Gyari and Mr Kelsang Gyaltsen - with The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, has noted with the Chinese authorities at the beginning of July in Beijing have not led to any result concerning Tibet; as indicated in a press release from the Dalai Lama' envoys.
President Pöttering recalled the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 10 April 2008, with regard to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on 8 August which calls for "the option of non-attendance in the event that there is no resumption of dialogue between the Chinese authorities and His Holiness the Dalai Lama."
Hans-Gert Pöttering added: "Given that these talks have to date proved inconclusive, I have decided not to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
"But I very much hope that the dialogue between the envoys of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities will soon be pursued in a constructive way aimed at achieving results.
The Dalai Lama has always called for non violent protest and has rejected calls for Tibetan independence. He has instead proposed the middle way of cultural autonomy and religious freedom for Tibet and has never questioned China's territorial integrity. He has the full support of the European Parliament for his approach.
We expect that China, will respect its own public commitments to human rights and minority rights announced when the decision to allow China to organise the Games was taken. This is a great opportunity for China to open itself up to the world and to demonstrate that it is committed to internationally-recognised fundamental rights."