UN FEARS COLOMBIAN REFUGEE EXODUS

FARC rebels are holding hundreds of hostages The United Nations refugee
agency is preparing for a possible exodus of Colombians fleeing violence
between the security forces and left-wing rebels.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is working with authorities
and aid agencies in Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela in case an escalation in
the internal conflict in Colombia causes a regional humanitarian crisis.

There are fears that large numbers of Colombians may be forced to leave
their homes following the collapse of peace talks last week.

When the talks were broken off, the armed forces were ordered to take
control of a former rebel safe haven in southern Colombia - a task they say
will take up to six months to complete.

They are advancing slowly through the rebel stronghold - an area the size
of Switzerland ceded to them three years ago - to avoid ambushes and
minefields.

Politician kidnapped

The rebels were accused of "kidnapping democracy" after they abducted a
presidential candidate on Saturday.

Click here for a map of the former FARC safe haven

Colombian President Andres Pastrana denounced the kidnapping of 40-year-old
politician Ingrid Betancourt, saying: "These violent people have attacked
democracy again".

The United States has added its voice to international condemnation of the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and called for Mrs
Betancourt's immediate release.

Kidnapping is a favoured tactic of the guerrillas, who are believed to be
holding about 800 people hostage.

The US has backed Mr Pastrana's decision to end peace talks with the
guerrillas, while the European Union and the United Nations have also
condemned the rebels' actions.

Mr Pastrana has said there will be no further peace talks until the rebels
stop using terror tactics.