Gov. Richardson secures hostage aid

CARACAS, Venezuela, April 27 (UPI) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said he has persuaded Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to intervene to help secure the release of three U.S. hostages.

"President Chavez has agreed to try and help," the Democratic governor said.

Richardson met Saturday with Venezuelan officials who agreed to let the former presidential candidate negotiate with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia, or FARC, to release three military contractors -- Tom Howes, Marc Gonsalves, and Keith Stansell -- held since 2003.

Richardson engaged FARC and Venezuelan officials in January and said the agreement from Chavez will allow negotiations to move forward, the Santa Fe New Mexican said Sunday.

"I'm going to try and engage the best I can to secure the release of these hostages to promote the humanitarian accord," he said.

The Bush administration backed away from negotiations to free the hostages, saying it is against U.S. policy to negotiate with terrorist groups.