Implications of the hostage rescue
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Highlighted Story 1: “Implications of the Colombian Hostage Rescue” The liberation of former Colombian presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt, along with three Americans and eleven Colombian hostages was not just an exemplary military operation carried out by the Colombian army but was an action that could have far wider implications. It was a major blow which could be the beginning of the end of a 40 year old guerilla movement known as The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Highlighted Story 2: “Thank you, Mr. Uribe” Those of us who have been following the news about the hostages’ inferno at the hands of the narco-terrorist group known as the FARC are still amazed by the brilliant rescue of fifteen of them last week by the Colombian military, including eleven policemen and armed forces personnel and their most valuable captives: Ingrid Betancourt and the three American contractors. Although most world leaders are praising President Uribe and the Colombian armed forces for the stunning outcome, there are some who received the news as a blow.
Main News:
- Chvez-Uribe meeting soon
- Colombian Santos: “We know the whereabouts of guerrilla leaders.” Captivity was hell, Betancourt tells CNN Larry King . Betancourt asks Uribe to accept help from anybody, even Chvez. Uribe should soften his tone with FARC: Betancourt . Colombian Military Uses Betancourt’s Voice to Urge FARC to Disarm. Former hostage Luis Eladio Prez leaves Colombia after death threats. Chvez talks with Ingrid Betancourt.
- US prosecutor ratifies Venezuelan govn’t links to the suitcase scandal. Inflation climbs 15.1 percent in first half. Chvez to establish joint venture with Correa in Ecuador.
- El Salvador: Chavism threat reported
- Ecuador ‘s Correa seizes TV stations
- Pdvsa drill begins searching for gas in Bolivia. Issuance of ID cards funded by Venezuela investigated in Bolivia.
- Argentine Court Upholds Legality of Grain Tax
- Nicaragua ‘s Ortega threatens opposition for conspiring’ with US help
- Peru : Some farmers strike over trade
- Six Charred Bodies Found in Tijuana as Drug Violence Escalates in Mexico
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Nancy Menges
Editor in Chief – “Americas Report”
Nicole M. Ferrand
Editor – “Americas Report”
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Mr. Gaffney is the host of Secure Freedom Radio, a nationally-syndicated radio program heard weeknights throughout the country. He is an associate author of highly acclaimed Shariah: The Threat to America and the publisher of over a dozen other books and monographs from the Center for Security Policy Press.
In April 1987, Mr. Gaffney was nominated by President Reagan to become the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, the senior position in the Defense Department with responsibility for policies involving U.S.-USSR relations, nuclear forces, arms control, missile defense policy and U.S.-European defense ties. He acted in that capacity for seven months during which time, he was the Chairman of the prestigious High Level Group, NATO’s senior politico-military committee. He also represented the Secretary of Defense in key U.S.-Soviet negotiations and ministerial meetings.
From August 1983 until November 1987, Mr. Gaffney was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Forces and Arms Control Policy under Assistant Secretary Richard Perle.
From February 1981 to August 1983, Mr. Gaffney was a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by the late Senator John Tower (R-Texas). And, in the latter 1970’s, Mr. Gaffney served as an aide to the late Senator Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson (D-Washington) in the areas of defense and foreign policy.
Mr. Gaffney holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
Mr. Gaffney’s leadership has been recognized by numerous organizations including: the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award (1987), the U.S. Business and Industry Council’s Defender of the National Interest Award (1994), the Navy League of the United States’ Alfred Thayer Mahan Literary Achievement Award (1999), and the Zionist Organization of America’s “Louis Brandeis Award” (2003), the Western Conservative Summit’s Stephen H. Long Award (2015), the Council for National Policy’s George Washington Military Leadership Award (2016) and the IMPACT Award from Ginni Thomas and United in Purpose (2017).
Mr. Gaffney was born in 1953 and resides in the Washington, D.C. area.
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