Now that he got a pledge from Venezuela President Hugo Chavez to help him free hostages from rebels in neighboring Colombia, Gov. Bill Richardson can take the next step in negotiating the release of three U.S. citizens.

But the promise didn't come easy, judging from how exhausted Richardson looked when I said goodnight to his entourage last night. They still had two more meetings to go, as well.

If Richardson was bothered he had to wait so long to meet with Chavez (the meeting was bumped back seven hours) he didn't show it. He was a gracious guest in the Venezuelan presidential palace, sipping strong coffee, eating Listerine breath strips and admiring the decor. I admit up front here, I too, was admiring. Picture 30-foot ceilings, all hand decorated in tropical pinks and greens. Picture an ornate chapel, in golds and light green. There was the Simon Bolivar portrait of course, the angel water fountain inside, the hand upholstered chairs. Even the ash trays were gold, embossed with the word Miraflores on them. (That's the name of the presidential compound.)
 
And while this trip is over, Richardson has more work ahead. It some ways, it's the harder work. He'll negotiate with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia indirectly to persuade them to release the hostages. Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Tom Howes are military contractors captured by the FARC in 2003. Richardson also wants to see the rebels let go of Ingrid Betancourt, once a presidential candidate and now said to be in very bad health.

The next step could be the hardest, because it's where the real negotiations begin.

Knowing Richardson, he's already planning.




Really not the best photo, but gives you a sense of the presidential palace inside.