Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela

Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela Case and Proposal from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia

Question: What does the United States think about the extradition of Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela?

Answer: I would refer you to the Department of Justice for comment on this ongoing legal matter.

Question: What is the U.S. position on a reported Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia proposal to trade the three American contractors they hold hostage, in exchange for Simon Trinidad, a senior leader of that organization, presently in U.S. government custody?

Answer: It is U.S. policy not to make concessions to terrorists. We believe such concessions will only encourage future hostage taking. We hold the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia responsible for the safety, health and well being of its hostages, including three U.S. citizens. We demand that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia release the Americans immediately and unharmed.

2004/272

Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 3, 2005 Question Taken At March 2, 2005 Daily Press Briefing

Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam and Salah Mohamed Abdelrahman

U.S. Urges the Government of Sudan to Provide Due Process

On January 24, 2005, Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam and Salah Mohamed Abdelrahman were arrested for their work highlighting the violence in Darfur. On March 1, the Government of Sudan formally charged Dr. Mudawi with crimes against the state. Dr. Mudawi has been on a hunger strike since February 19. He is now in the hospital, though still under arrest, receiving treatment for loss of weight and medical complications related to his hunger strike.

We call upon the Government of Sudan to release Dr. Mudawi immediately and to provide him with due process of law, including his right to legal representation. We hold the Government of Sudan responsible for his well-being while in custody.

There has been no news on the whereabouts of Mr. Salah Mohamed Abdelrahman since his arrest. We call on the Government of Sudan to verify his status immediately and to release him immediately if he is still in custody.

2005/271 Released on March 2, 2005 Press Statement Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC