SelectPlusHostages Re-enter Life After Colombian RaidHostages Re-enter Life After Colombian RaidThe Associated PressMore than a dozen hostages freed by Colombian military forces are reveling in their freedom after being held for years by rebels. Three Americans part of the group are now back in the United States, awaiting a reunion with family. (July 3)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] [Notes:VO shot of Americans exiting plane in SAT]AFTER YEARS IN CAPTIVITY IN COLOMBIA ... FREEDOM FOR THESE AMERICAN HOSTAGES, NOW ON U-S SOIL AT THIS AIR FORCE BASE IN TEXAS. [Notes:VO footage from Colombia, Army newser with map]THIS HOMECOMING IS THANKS TO THE COLOMBIAN ARMY ... *TRICKING* REBELS HOLDING 15 HOSTAGES INTO GIVING UP THEIR CAPTIVES. IT WAS A DARING RAID ... INVOLVING A HELICOPTER, MILITARY SPIES, SOLDIERS IN DISGUISE ... AND A REBEL COMMANDER STRIPPED NAKED, BLINDFOLDED.IT IS A SIGNIFICANT VICTORY FOR COLOMBIA'S PRESIDENT, AN ALLY OF THE UNITED STATES. AND A POSSIBLY FATAL BLOW FOR THE LEFTIST REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA, OR FARC. THEIR GREATEST BARGAINING CHIP - FOUR FOREIGN HOSTAGES - NOW GONE. [Notes:VO Pic of Betancourt, newser with family]AMONG THE CAPTIVES: INGRID BETANCOURT, A FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN COLOMBIA ... HELD FOR SEVEN YEARS. SHE SPOKE TO REPORTERS, SURROUNDED BY HER CHILDREN ... THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD SEEN THEIR MOTHER IN SIX YEARS. [Notes:SUPER: Rich Matthews / The Associated Press / San Antonio]STUP: The three American hostages are U-S military contractors. They were taken here, to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where they are to undergo tests and treatment.THEN, THERE WILL BE REUNIONS ... WITH LOVED ONES. FAMILY MEMBERS CANNOT WAIT. [Notes:SUPER: Kyle and Lauren Stansell / Children of Keith Stansell]SOT: Just hug him. I couldn't tell you what I'm going to do. I really couldn't. Just looking forward to getting my arms around him. Definitely a daddy's girl and have missed him very much.THE AMERICANS WERE CAPTURED IN 2003 WHEN THEIR DRUG SURVEILLANCE PLANE WENT DOWN IN REBEL-HELD JUNGLE. SOME OF THE OTHER HOSTAGES WERE HELD FOR A DOZEN YEARS. [Notes:SUPER: George Gonsalves / Marc Gonsalves' Father]SOT: I'm just excited. What a way to celebrate the Fourth of July. This is the best ... I'm very excited, very happy. Yes. It's a good thing.NOW, THEIR ORDEAL IS OVER AFTER A RESCUE THAT WENT OFF ... WITHOUT FIRING A SINGLE SHOT. Rich Matthews, The Associated Press, San Antonio.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE:-------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER: Lee Powell/Rich Matthews------------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: AP-various--------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL:------------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS:----------------------------------SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE: Columbia-Hostages, 2nd------------------------------------ Author: AssociatedPress Keywords: tx hostages_arrive hostages re-enter after colombian raid Added: July 3, 2008
