Colombia's president: Red Cross symbol used in hostage rescue mission

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - A member of the military mission that tricked Colombian rebels into freeing 15 hostages wore the insignia of the International Red Cross during the operation, President Alvaro Uribe said Wednesday. His government apologized to the Red Cross for the incident, which Uribe called an unauthorized error by a nervous soldier. International Red Cross spokesman Florian Westphal said in Geneva that the relief organization accepted Uribe's explanation for how its symbol was misused. "An officer mistakenly and contrary to orders ... put a piece read more

NECN | July 16, 2008

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