Colombia begins clearing landmines
Colombia begins clearing landmines
May 29 2015 at 08:21pm
By AFP
Bogota - The Colombian government and FARC guerrillas have begun clearing the country's landmines in a joint effort seen as a ray of hope in their stumbling peace negotiations, officials said Friday.
The pilot mine-clearing mission was carried out over seven days in the northern region of Antioquia, said officials from Cuba and Norway, the countries facilitating the talks.
The mission is the first step in a March agreement between the government and the Marxist guerrillas to disable all anti-personnel mines placed during half a century of civil war.
“This is a hopeful gesture for peace in Colombia,” said FARC commander and peace negotiator Pastor Alape at the talks in Havana.
More:
http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/colombia-begins-clearing-landmines-1.1865364#.VWjGW2dFCYE
