France hails...Hugo Chavez

The French may despise America and George W. Bush in particular, but they just love Venezuela's Cartoon Character-in-Chief Hugo Chavez. Well, they're hailing him, anyway.

France Monday hailed the efforts of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to secure the release of 45 hostages held by the Colombian rebel group FARC, including the French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt.

"We salute the efforts of President Chavez to help conclude a humanitarian accord," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Pascale Andreani. "We urge the FARC to make the necessary moves to allow the hostages in Colombia to be released without delay."

She said France "noted with great interest" the announcements made following Chavez's talks in Colombia with President Alvaro Uribe on Friday.

The two leaders agreed to allow a representative of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to meet with Chavez in Venezuela to discuss the exchange of 45 rebel hostages -- including Betancourt -- for 500 FARC members in government jails.

Of course the commie terrorists of FARC would meet with Chavez...professional courtesy, don't you know.