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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
February 1, 1999

Sixth Anniversary of Kidnapping of New Tribes Missionaries

Yesterday marked the sixth anniversary of the kidnapping in Panama of three American citizens, Dave Mankins, Mark Rich, Rick Tenenoff of the New Tribes Missionaries (NTM). These men were kidnapped by the members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and taken to Colombia. The return of these men remains a high priority to the U.S. Government. We are committed to working with the families, the NTM and the Colombian government to resolve the case. In December 1998, a Department of State official met with FARC representatives and pressed them for information on the whereabouts and condition of the three missionaries. We again call upon the FARC to respond to our request.

Throughout 1993, members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) tried to exact a multi-million dollar ransom for the missionaries. Since December 1993, the kidnappers have declined to provide information on the welfare and whereabouts of Dave Mankin, Mark Rich, and Rick Tenenoff. This has imposed inhuman hardship on their families.

The Department has continued to work closely with the New Tribes Mission. In the last year, we have worked closely with the Colombian government and have raised this issue at the highest levels with the Pastrana Administration. We are pleased with the response of President Pastrana, himself a former kidnap victim, to the plight of the NTM families as evidenced by his meeting with the three wives of the kidnapped missionaries October 1998.

We remain committed, as a matter of the highest priority, to working for the return of these men to their families and we call upon the FARC as the entity responsible for this act to come forth with a complete account of our missing fellow citizens.

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