New Mexico governor looks to Chavez for help freeing American hostages

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Saturday sought the help of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in securing the release of three Americans held hostage by Colombian rebels for more than five years. Before meeting with the Democratic governor, Chavez said he hoped to assist, but wasn't sure what he could do. "He's coming with the mission of trying to help in the rescue of those three Americans who are in the hands of the FARC," Chavez said in a speech, referring to the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. "I don't know if I'm going to be able to continue helping," Chavez said. "I'm going to listen to him, to see how we could." Richardson, who was to meet with Chavez at the presidential palace on Saturday night, told reporters he would discuss ways to advance a proposed swap of hostages for imprisoned guerrillas.