FARC Rebels and Hostages

Leftist rebels have agreed to exchange letters with a self-appointed group of Colombians to discuss the possible release of hostages the rebels are holding.
The FARC posted the statement on one of its Web sites. The statement was electronically signed by the group's seven-man leadership council. They were responding to a 9/11 letter by a disparate group of Colombians, where they asked the FARC to write letters to "allow us to identify the terms to set an agenda to clarify the route toward an understanding regarding a hostage exchange." The government estimates the FARC is holding some 700 civilians and military personnel hostage. The FARC says it wants to exchange about 30 hostages for as many as 500 jailed guerrillas held in Colombian and U.S. prisons.

cnn.com