[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16783]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     AMERICAN HOSTAGES IN COLOMBIA

  Mr. DODD. Madam President, last February, I rose before the Senate to 
draw attention to the fate of three Americans taken hostage by the 
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)--Marc Gonsalves, Keith 
Stansell, and Thomas Howes. It has been 5 months since then--17 months 
since Marc, Keith and Tom were captured. Since that tragic day, these 
Americans and their families have lived in fear, never knowing what 
tomorrow may bring. I say today what I said then--there must be no 
higher priority than ensuring that Marc, Keith and Tom return safely 
home. I commend the actions taken thus far by United States and 
Colombian officials to find these brave Americans, but I urge them to 
redouble their efforts.
  Marc, Keith and Tom were taken captive when their plane crashed in 
FARC controlled territory on February 13, 2003. Two individuals, an 
American pilot, Tom Janis, and a Colombian intelligence officer, were 
killed by the FARC at the crash site, and Marc, Keith and Tom have 
remained in captivity since that time. A video documentary released 
last year containing interviews with the three men dramatically 
underscores the urgency of their dire situation.
  I know that all of our prayers remain with these Americans and their 
families. As any parent knows, it is impossible to describe the pain 
these families suffer knowing that their sons are in danger, unable to 
communicate with them, and uncertain whether they will ever see them 
again. Marc Gonsalves' mother, Jo Rosano, is a Connecticut resident. 
When I met with her in February, I pledged that I would do everything 
possible to return her son. I stand by that pledge today.
  To that end, I have met with President Uribe and Colombian officials 
and urged them to secure Marc, Keith and Tom's release. President Uribe 
has assured me that Colombian authorities are working to locate these 
Americans and that Colombia will not end its search until they are 
found.
  I have likewise urged the Bush administration to provide all 
necessary assistance to locate and gain the release of Marc, Keith and 
Tom. During a hearing last year before the Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee, I urged William Wood, Ambassador to Colombia, to make their 
well-being and safe release his highest priority. Ambassador Wood 
agreed to do so and promised to keep me informed about developments as 
they occur. I thank him for his efforts to date.
  Unfortunately, rescuing these three Americans will not be easy. But 
while doing so may not be easy, it is essential--it is our duty. We 
must leave no stone unturned in our efforts to secure their release. 
And we must make sure that their families know that we have not 
forgotten their sons and will not rest until we find them. I will 
continue to work tirelessly on behalf of Marc, Keith and Tom, and I 
urge the Bush administration and the Colombian government, to do 
everything in their power to expedite their return.

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