SAO PAULO, 05 September 2008 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called on the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to release all hostages it is holding in a meeting with Ingrid Betancourt.During the meeting with Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian former politician held hostage by FARC guerrillas for six years before being released in July, Brazilian President Lula said that in order for FARC to join the political arena, it should "believe in democracy". "The FARC need to learn that you do not do politics by kidnapping innocent people, you must understand that the great chance is to believe in democracy". Ingrid Betancourt thanked Lula, describing him as "extraordinary" in his role to work for the hostages' liberation and for offering Brazilian territory as a neutral field in which the FARC and the Colombian government could negotiate. Ingrid Betancourt, the French-Colombian former senator was kidnapped by FARC guerrillas in February 2002 as she campaigned for the Colombian presidency. She was released along with 14 other hostages in an operation of the Colombian Army after being incarcerated for six years. Betancourts South American tour aims at drawing attention to the continued plight of those still detained by the FARC. She affirmed Friday she was "totally convinced" the remaining hostages in the hands of the Colombian rebels would be freed next year. Brasilia - December 1, 2008 -- Due to the magnitude of the effects of severe flooding in Santa Catarina state, United States Ambassador to Brazil Clifford M. Sobel today announced a doubling of U.S. disaster assistance. The new declaration provides a total of US$100,000 (approximately R$236,000) for emergency supplies and support for the state. Ambassador Sobel expressed the sympathy of the American people, and added, The recent flooding has caused much suffering, but I know the strength and spirit of the people of Santa Catarina will overcome this disaster. In addition, the U.S. Embassy is coordinating relief efforts with private sector companies in Brazil through Mais Unidos, a public-private partnership program that promotes corporate and social responsibility. Mais Unidos partners participating in the relief effort include Accenture, Bungue, Cargill, Cummins, Fedex, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, IBM, Microsoft, Monsanto, Pfizer, Proctor & Gamble, Rigesa, Vonpar/Coca-Cola, and Wal-Mart, among others. Continued heavy rains have caused serious flooding, affecting one-fourth of the states population. Eight cites within the state are isolated and more than 80,000 citizens have been displaced. The United States is coordinating its assistance with the nongovernmental organization Catholic Relief Services and its partners, Caritas Brazil and Caritas Santa Catarina, to purchase emergency supplies such as hygiene kits and basic housing repair materials for the most vulnerable families in the hardest-hit municipalities. For additional information on contributions made via Mais Unidos, please visit: http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/csr-index.php---------------------------------------------------------------U.S. Companies Offer Assistance to Santa Catarina Flood VictimsBrasilia, December 1, 2008 In an initiative promoted by the United States Embassy in Brazil through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) in Washington, American companies that are active in the country and members of the corporate social responsibility