U.S. welcomes Colombia's efforts to engage rebel group for talks

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Xinhua

U.S. welcomes Colombia's efforts to engage rebel group for talks
(Xinhua)11:09, August 29, 2012

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Tuesday welcomed Colombia's latest efforts to end a decades-old conflict in the country by engaging anew the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in talks.

"We would, of course, welcome any efforts to end the hemisphere 's longest-running conflict and to bring about lasting peace in Colombia," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters at a regular news briefing.

"You know that we've been a very strong and unwavering partner of Colombia and its people in this struggle, and we hope that its citizens will find peace and security," she added.

In a televised address on Monday, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos confirmed that his government has conducted " exploratory talks" in Havana, Cuba with FARC representatives and the two sides signed an agreement to initiate peace talks on October 5 in Oslo, Norway.

Read more: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90777/7928120.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. UN Secretary-General 'pleased' about Colombia peace talks .

UN Secretary-General 'pleased' about Colombia peace talks .
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 13:21 Joey O'Gorman

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the announcement of peace talks between Colombia's government and the FARC guerrilla group.

Spokesperson Martin Nesirky told Colombia Reports that "the Secretary General was very pleased to learn that the president of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, has announced exploratory talks between his Government and representatives of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia."

The Colombian government signed a formal agreement to begin peace talks with the FARC on Monday.

Entering his second term at the helm of the UN, the Secretary-General "hopes that this will be the start of a productive dialogue to address and resolve a conflict which has afflicted the Colombian people for almost five decades."

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/25762-un-secretary-general-colombia-peace-talks.html

[Judi Lynn]

2. Peace talks are 'electoral propaganda' for Chavez: Uribe .

Peace talks are 'electoral propaganda' for Chavez: Uribe .
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 14:28 Joey O'Gorman

The peace talks between Colombia's government and the FARC are "electoral propaganda" for Hugo Chavez, claimed former president Alvaro Uribe Tuesday.

Uribe and other Colombian senators claimed the intervention of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in the peace process is not only a ploy for Chavez to be re-elected, but poses a risk to national sovereignty.

Uribe has slammed the peace talks over the past week, asking on Monday: "Can they negotiate human rights with terrorism? This is inadmissable, this is a democratic country."

The former Colombian president has also claimed that the peace talks with the FARC are being held as a favor for Hugo Chavez to help ensure his re-election in October. The talks are "electoral propaganda where Chavez can say he managed to seat the Colombian peace talks," said Uribe, according to Peruvian website Peru 21.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/25766-peace-talks-are-electoral-propaganda-for-chavez-uribe.html

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George W Bush and Alvaro Uribe[/center]

[Judi Lynn]

3. ELN wants to join FARC in peace talks with Santos .

ELN wants to join FARC in peace talks with Santos .
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 13:18 Adriaan Alsema

Colombia's second largest ELN group said Tuesday it wants to join the FARC in peace negotiations with the country's government.

In a press statement, ELN leader "Gabino" said his group is willing to take part in the peace talks.

"Our command has clearly expressed that the ELN is willing to begin a dialogue with the current government, in a serious, responsible, respectful process without traps and without hostility that facilitates the reestablishment of trust and generates a favorable environment to tackle the causes of the armed conflict," the ELN's leader said.

According to Gabino, his group's intention is to create a "real, stable and lasting peace."

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/25764-eln-wants-to-join-farc-in-peace-talks-with-santos.html

[Judi Lynn]

4. Colombia's political parties support peace talks with FARC .

Colombia's political parties support peace talks with FARC .
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 06:56 Courtney Scott

The majority of Colombia's political parties on Tuesday expressed support of "exploratory conversations" between President Juan Manuel Santos' government and guerrilla group FARC to move towards formal peace talks.

Various political parties of the country have made it know that they back President Santos' announcement Monday confirming his governments' agreement to talk to the largest guerrilla group of the country to seek a negotiated end to the country's nearly 50-year armed conflict.

Congress recently approved the legal framework for peace, giving the government the tools it needs to come to an agreement with the FARC and look for an end to almost half a decade of armed conflict.

President of the Liberal Party, Simon Gaviria, reiterated that the collective would accompany president Santos towards the process of peace.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/25754-colombias-political-parties-support-peace-talks-with-farc.html