BOGOTA, Colombia -- Colombia's President Andres Pastrana appealed to marxist rebel foot soldiers on Friday to turn in their leaders, saying they would become millionaires by collecting a government bounty.

"I want to tell all of the guerrillas that are guarding (rebel bosses), those people who are taking care of them, who are sleeping alongside them, to be aware that they are looking after two million dollars," Pastrana told Reuters.

Pastrana steps down in August after breaking off three years peace talks with the 17,000-member Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, in February. He was elected on a peace platform but failed to stem bloodshed in a 38-year-old guerrilla war that claims about 10 lives a day.

Last month he offered a $2 million bounty for the FARC's top seven leaders, known locally as the secretariat, in response to a threat by Latin America's most powerful guerrilla army to kill or kidnap all of the country's mayors and municipal judges if they did not resign.

The FARC says its campaign against local politicians aims to destroy the state from the bottom up, and scores of mayors and judges have resigned.

"Thanks to citizens, we already have information about the members of secretariat. We are working and we will conduct (military) operations very soon (against FARC leaders)," Pastrana said. He has also created special military units to hunt down rebel bosses.

--- Kidnap Victim Pleas for Help --- Meanwhile, the FARC released a videotape to local television as proof that a kidnapped provincial governor, an ex-cabinet member and a congressman being held hostage by the rebels were alive.

Fernando Araujo, a former justice minister abducted by the farc in December 2000, seemed to ask the government to swap him for imprisoned rebels. His taped message appeared to have been edited, and Araujo was flanked by heavily armed guerrillas.

"To request President Andres Pastrana and president-elect Alvaro Uribe to start a (prisoner) swap with this group," said Araujo, who was bearded, thin and appeared exhausted.

Araujo is among a group of top politicians nabbed by the rebels, who are also holding hostage a former presidential candidate, five national lawmakers, 12 provincial lawmakers and at least 50 members of Colombia's armed forces.

Pastrana has flatly ruled out a swap, as has Uribe -- whose father was killed by the FARC during a botched kidnapping.

Colombia is the world's kidnapping capital with about 3,000 abductions reported in 2001, including 49 foreigners. The bulk of the abductions are carried out by leftist rebels seeking ransom money.

bc-colombia-rebels colombia-rebels:colombia's pastrana asks rebels to hand in leaders by phil stewart bogota, colombia, july 5 (reuters) - colombia's president andres pastrana appealed to marxist rebel foot soldiers on friday to turn in their leaders, saying they would become millionaires by collecting a government bounty.

"i want to tell all of the guerrillas that are guarding (rebel bosses), those people who are taking care of them, who are sleeping alongside them, to be aware that they are looking after two million dollars," pastrana said.

pastrana steps down in august after breaking off three years peace talks with the 17,000-member revolutionary armed forces of colombia, or farc, in february. he was elected on a peace platform but failed to stem bloodshed in a 38-year-old guerrilla war that claims about 10 lives a day.

last month he offered a $2 million bounty for the farc's top seven leaders, known locally as the secretariat, in response to a threat by latin america's most powerful guerrilla army to kill or kidnap all of the country's mayors and municipal judges if they did not resign.

the farc says its campaign against local politicians aims to destroy the state from the bottom up, and scores of mayors and judges have resigned.

"thanks to citizens, we already have information about the members of secretariat. we are working and we will conduct (military) operations very soon (against farc leaders)," pastrana said. he has also created special military units to hunt down rebel bosses.

kidnap victim pleas for help meanwhile, the farc released a videotape to local television as proof that a kidnapped provincial governor, an ex-cabinet member and a congressman being held hostage by the rebels were alive.

fernando araujo, a former justice minister abducted by the farc in december 2000, seemed to ask the government to swap him for imprisoned rebels. his taped message appeared to have been edited, and araujo was flanked by heavily armed guerrillas.

"(t)o request president andres pastrana and president-elect alvaro uribe to start a (prisoner) swap with this group," said araujo, who was bearded, thin and appeared exhausted.

araujo is among a group of top politicians nabbed by the rebels, who are also holding hostage a former presidential candidate, five national lawmakers, 12 provincial lawmakers and at least 50 members of colombia's armed forces.

pastrana has flatly ruled out a swap, as has uribe -- whose father was killed by the farc during a botched kidnapping.

colombia is the world's kidnapping capital with about 3,000 abductions reported in 2001, including 49 foreigners. the bulk of the abductions are carried out by leftist rebels seeking ransom money. (with reporting by luis jaime acosta)