The European Union says Colombia's FARC rebels will remain on its terrorism list, despite a request from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to remove them.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said after meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Tuesday in Brussels that there is no reason to change the EU's decision.
Mr. Chavez said after he had negotiated the release of two female hostages earlier this month that peace talks with FARC can proceed only if the rebels are labeled as insurgents, and not as terrorists.
Meanwhile, FARC has rejected a proposed Red Cross visit to check on the health of hundreds of hostages held for years in secret jungle camps.
Photos of hostages in ill health and suffering from jungle diseases were brought from the jungle by the recently released women. A FARC spokesman said a Red Cross visit might compromise the security of the hostages.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
