¡¡ BOGOTA, Dec. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Nearly 3,000 individuals, including 400 children, are to spend the year-end as hostages of various rebel groups in Colombia, the non-governmental organization Free Country Foundation said in a report on Monday.

    However, the report also reveals that the incidence of kidnappings is declining. From January to September 2003, it says 1,656 people were kidnapped, 40 percent less than the 2,788 during the same period in 2002.

    Colombian Vice-President Francisco Santos, who once was kidnapped himself, has vowed to intensify the fight against kidnapping which in Colombia is committed by guerrillas, paramilitaries and criminals alike.

    "In the first quarter of 2004 we expect to produce a map of organizations of kidnappers we have to dismantle," Santos said.

    The phenomenon of the kidnapping markedly increased in Colombiaduring the 1990s with an annual average of 3,000 cases. In 2000, the number soared to 3,706 cases.

    The number dropped to 2,982 last year and is expected to decline again to 2,000 in 2003, according to the report.

    The gross number of people being held at the year-end is expected to total 3,000 and 2003 has been notable for the number of foreigners kidnapped.

    The two most notable cases were those of eight foreigners kidnapped on Sept. 12 and released afterwards, and three US intelligence personnel who have been held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) since Feb. 13.

    A Japanese entrepreneur, Chikao Muramatsu, kidnapped two years ago, were found dead on Nov. 24 near the Colombian capital.

    A special governmental commission is negotiating with FARC for the humanitarian swap of dozens of hostages for 500 imprisoned FARC guerrillas. Enditem