Families praise daring rescue
2008-07-03 09:05
Washington - Relatives of the three US former hostages rescued from leftist Colombian guerrillas on Wednesday have expressed their excitement about seeing their loved ones again after so many years.
They also thanked the Colombian military who rescued the men from Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerillas along with French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and 11 other hostages.
"There are many days when we often wondered if this (ordeal) was ever going to end. But the day is here, and we are grateful," Lauren Stansell, whose father Keith was among 15 rescued hostages, told CNN.
"And (we) just feel so blessed and so excited to see our dad and be reunited. My brother and I have just been praying for this day for years now. And we just love him so much and are very anxious to see him."
She said they had yet to talk to their father but said she was "bubbling with anxiety and excitement, so ready to see my dad again".
A US military plane carrying Stanswell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes touched down in San Antonio, Texas, early on Thursday and the men were immediately taken to an army medical centre for an examination.
Colombian commandos had rescued the men, US contractors who were captured when their plane was shot down in February 2003, in a daring and bloodless operation on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the families, Stephen Donehoo, told AFP they "express their gratitude to the soldiers and the Colombian intelligence forces, who risked their lives in this daring operation", and were looking forward to celebrating American independence day on Friday with their loved ones.
George Gonsalves said he was mowing his lawn when he heard the news from a neighbour that his son Mark had been freed.
"First thing I want to say to him is, my God, I missed you. I love you. And I want to hug him, and I want to touch him, and I want to hear his voice again," he told CNN.
"I haven't heard him or said nothing to him in five years, over five years. We haven't exchanged even a hello. So, you know, there's a lot that's going to be said."
The three Americans were on a US Defence Department anti-drug mission when they were captured, according to US State Department information. The rebels shot dead a fourth US contractor, Thomas Janis, as well as a Colombian officer.
Separately, the company that employed them, Northrop Grumman, said it was "extremely pleased to confirm the long-awaited news" of their release.
It "is grateful for the outstanding efforts of the Colombian and US governments that resulted in the freedom of its co-workers and other Colombian citizens", the company said in a brief statement.
- AFP