Colombian rebels reject asylum in France for freed guerrillas

A senior Colombian rebel commander is rejecting asylum in France or anywhere else for jailed guerrillas freed in any potential prisoner swap. Rebel commander Ivan Marquez called the government's asylum abroad proposal an insult to guerrilla dignity in an interview published Saturday on a friendly Internet site. The offer was made earlier this year before Colombia's military tricked FARC rebels into freeing their most prized hostages — dual French national Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans. French officials have said they would accept guerrillas who renounce violence. Marquez also appeared to acknowledge that the rebels were hoodwinked, saying "two traitors" were to blame in the July 2 rescue. He did not name the alleged... [read full story]