Interview with American Hostages by Jorge Botero, Colombian Journalist - 2003-10-09

Three American contractors who were taken hostage by leftist rebels in Colombia urged U.S. officials to pursue their release through dialogue with the captors rather than any rescue operations. The hostages, identified as Mark Gonzales, Keith Stansell, and Thomas Howes, made their plea during an interview broadcast on CBS's '60 Minutes II' on Wednesday, featuring a video of an interview conducted by Colombian journalist Jorge Botero in July. Botero was allowed to meet and talk with the hostages under the supervision of armed rebels. The leftist rebels, known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), had full oversight of the interview process. The American hostages told Botero that any non-diplomatic operation would likely result in their deaths, and they requested that the U.S. government refrain from any rescue attempts, instead seeking to resolve their dire situation through diplomatic talks. The Americans had flown to the area in a small plane to inspect products used for cocaine production, but were taken hostage after their plane crashed in rebel-controlled territory. The rebels killed the American pilot and a Colombian military officer at the border. In their interview, the hostages spoke about the difficult conditions of their captivity and mentioned that their complete separation from the outside world left them unaware of global events, including the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.