Letter to Brazilian President Lula
From the Green Party of the United States
February 2003
GREEN PARTY of the UNITED STATES
1314 18th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
February 28, 2003
Senhor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Presidente do Brasil
Palacio do Planalto
70150-900 Brasilia – DF
Brasil
Excelentissimo Senhor Presidente:
One year ago, on 23 February 2002, FARC guerrillas in Colombia kidnapped Ingrid Betancourt, Partido Verde Oxigeno de Colombia presidential candidate, and Clara Rojas, her campaign manager, as they traveled to San Vicente del Caguan to campaign for the presidential elections. There has been no new information about their safety since mid-2002 when former Senator Betancourt appeared on a video sent from the Colombian jungle.
To date, Colombian government measures, and the efforts of Ingrid’s supporters around the world, have failed to secure the release of these women, whose work has been so vital to the interests of the Colombian people.
Senhor Presidente, as the leading advocate for peace and social justice, for the people of Latin America, we implore you to use your good offices, intervening with Colombian Presidente Uribe Velez, and with FARC, to bring about the release of Ingrid Betancourt and Clara Rojas.
When FARC first abducted Ingrid and Clara, the guerrillas told the world they would only hold the two women for one year. Ingrid’s family, friends and supporters are thus very concerned for her safety, and we know you feel the same urgency we do, that now is the time to do whatever we can to secure their release.
These courageous women have touched the lives of people around the world. All of us will be immensely grateful for your efforts to free Ingrid and Clara.
With respect,
GREEN PARTY of the UNITED STATES
Jo Chamberlain – Green Party of California
Badili Jones – Georgia Green Party
Ben Manski – Wisconsin Green Party
Barbara Payne – Pacific Green Party of Oregon
Anita Rios – Green Party of Ohio
Co-Chairs – GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
Anne Goeke – Maryland Green Party
Tod Sloan – Oklahoma Green Party
Co-Chairs – International Committee
Tony Affigne – Green Party of Rhode Island
Julia Willebrand – Green Party of New York State
Delegados de EEUU – Federacion de Partidos Verdes de las Americas
CC: Prof. Marco Aurelio Garcia <dalcero@planalto.gov.br>
Jose Luiz de Franca Penna <nacional@partidoverde.org.br>
Marco Antonio Mroz <mrozverd@mtecnetsp.com.br>
Carla Grieger – PVEM <PVEMRI@hotmail.com>
FPVA <fpva@yahoogroups.com>