Colombia: French Mission Can Meet With Hostages

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia's president said yesterday he had approved a French mission to try to meet with hostages held by leftist rebels, including a gravely ill politician, Ingrid Betancourt.

The mission would be "to protect the deteriorating health of the hostages," President Uribe said.

Ms. Betancourt, who holds French and Colombian nationality, is being held with dozens of other hostages by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

In Paris, President Sarkozy said he had called Uribe to inform him France was sending a humanitarian mission "without delay to contact the FARC and obtain access to our compatriot," his office said. Mr. Uribe said once Colombia's military has the coordinates of the location for any meeting between the French delegation and the rebels, it will temporarily suspend military operations in the zone.

Earlier yesterday, Mr. Sarkozy implored the rebels in a televised message to free Ms. Betancourt, whom he said was in danger of dying.