Bird-watcher escapes Colombian captors
UPI
Bird-watcher escapes Colombian captors
NEW YORK, April 3 (UPI) - A New York bird-watcher traipsed for six
hours through a Colombian jungle to escape rebels who kidnapped him and
his companions over a week ago, when their car was stopped at a
roadblock. The New York Times reports (Friday) 43-year-old Thomas Fiore
was pale and tired but in good health when he was recognized and picked
up by a Colombian news crew.
bc-colombia-escape
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UPI
Bird-watcher escapes Colombian captors
NEW YORK, April 3 (UPI) - A New York bird-watcher traipsed for six
hours through a Colombian jungle to escape rebels who kidnapped him and
his companions over a week ago, when their car was stopped at a
roadblock.
The New York Times today reports that Thomas Fiore was pale and tired
but in good health when he was recognized and picked up by a Colombian
news crew.
The crew handed Fiore over to police, who took him an army base, from
where he was reportedly flown to the U.S. Embassy in Bogota.
At least a dozen more people are still in captivity, including two U.
S. citizens.
Leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia told the media
they would demand ransom and keep the hostages for as long as it took to
get it.
They also said they would kill their captives if they believed any
were U.S. intelligence or drug-enforcement agents.
Before Fiore escaped, a spokesman said the rebels might release the
Americans if they were not working as spies or involved in the civil
strife in Colombia. Fiore was bird-watching with the other Americans
when their rental car was stopped at a roadblock on March 23 some 35
miles (56 km) southeast of the capital.
The U.S. Embassy has not released the other hostages' names, but the
American Birding Association in Colorado Springs says they are believed
to be Peter Shen of New York City, 63-year-old Louise Augustine of
Chillicothe, Ill., and Todd Mark of Houston.
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Copyright 1998 by United Press International.
All rights reserved.
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UPI
Former hostage on his way to US
NEW YORK, April 3 (UPI) - A New York bird-watcher trudged for six
hours through a Colombian jungle to escape rebels who kidnapped him and
his companions more than a week ago when their car was stopped at a
roadblock.
The New York Times today reports 43-year-old Thomas Fiore was pale
and tired but in good health when he was recognized and picked up by a
Colombian news crew on its way to the guerrilla's camp where the
hostages are being held about 35 miles south of Bogota.
The Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC by their Spanish
acronym) kidnapped Fiore along with Peter Shen of New York City, Louise
Augustine, a 63-year-old retired teacher from Chillicothe, Ill., and
Todd Marks, when they were on a bird-watching expedition March 23.
An Italian, Vito Candela, and several Colombians were also kidnapped.
The FARC have said they would kill the U.S. hostages if they prove
the Americans have links to the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
But Colombian media doubt Fiore escaped and say he was probably
liberated by the FARC, pointing out that he still had his passport and
another document the guerrillas had allegedly confiscated the day of the
kidnapping.
A U.S. diplomatic official has told United Press International Fiore
is now at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota and is preparing to return to New
York.
Meanwhile, a special police force to fight kidnappings says it is
negotiating with the FARC to gain the release of the other four
kidnapped foreigners.
A spokesman for the force said the FARC have compromised to free
those not involved in Colombia's conflicts.
UPI
(NOTE: adds doubts of escape, planned return to New York)