02/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - Ashton demands release of French journalist held by guerillas. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton called on Wednesday 2 May for the immediate, unconditional release of French journalist Roméo Langlois, reported to have been captured by the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia) as a prisoner of war. Ashton's spokesperson pointed out that only a few weeks ago, FARC announced that it had abandoned hostage-taking as a way of making money or applying political leverage. Ashton said that Langlois, who was a civilian, was a test of the FARC's sincerity. She urged the FARC to take account of the desire by Colombians for lasting peace in the country, along with democracy and full respect of human rights. (CG/transl.fl)