Betancourt gets hero's welcome in Paris

By Estelle Shirbon

PARIS (Reuters) - French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt was given a hero's welcome on Friday in France, where President Nicolas Sarkozy had made her release a foreign policy priority and thousands had campaigned for her freedom for years.

Betancourt, 46, was rescued on Wednesday by the Colombian military after more than six years in the jungle as a captive of leftist guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). France was not involved in the rescue.

Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy were on the tarmac to greet Betancourt, who arrived with her family on a special French flight from Bogota. The Sarkozy couple hugged Betancourt and held her hands before also embracing her relatives.

"Ingrid Betancourt, welcome. France loves you," a visibly moved Sarkozy said in a short speech on the tarmac.

A tearful Betancourt gave credit to France for her safe release, arguing that it was partly thanks to French campaigning that the Colombian military had decided against a hazardous commando-style rescue and in favor of a bloodless ruse.

"The extraordinary, perfect, flawless operation of the Colombian army that has allowed me to be here today is also a result of your struggle," she said just after landing.

Thousands of supporters waited for hours to see Betancourt at Paris city hall, where a giant image of her had been displayed on the facade since 2004.

"I think it's time for this horror to come off the wall," a smiling Betancourt said just before cutting down the image of herself, looking thin and ill in captivity. The ecstatic crowd cheered and chanted her name over and over.  Continued...