Colombia peace talks begin in Cuba

[bemildred]

Dolton isn't going to like this. The last thing this administration wants is peace breaking out in Colombia. Let alone having it happen in Cuba.


HAVANA, Cuba (AP) -- Exploratory peace talks between Colombia and its second-largest rebel group began Friday in Cuba with help from Nobel Prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez and facilitators from Spain, Norway and Switzerland.

Given the history of failed attempts at peace in Colombia, the nation's peace commissioner urged all parties involved in the talks to work to regain the confidence of Colombia's people.

"Our main concern at this time is to gain trust," said Luis Carlos Restrepo, speaking at the official opening of negotiations. "Colombia can't take any more setbacks."

Restrepo, who was representing the Colombian government, promised to be realistic and responsible in talks with the rebels.

CNN

[RagingInMiami]

1. So while we're busy spreading democracy abroad

Cuba is assisting in peace talks between two groups who've been fighting each other for decades.

[Mika]

8. Good for Cuba!

As the US has an ever sinking reputation, Cuba is working toward peace and gaining more friends worldwide.





Trend,

In --> Cuba
Out --> USA

[RagingInMiami]

9. And good for Colombia

The civil war has been destroying their country for the last four decades.

[SpiralHawk]

2. This will be Hugh News in Central and South America

the papers and the TV and radio will cover this, it will be talked about.

There is a big power shift happening behind the scenes.

The Condor is flying. The Eagle? Z-Z-z- as far as the wimpy corporate media is concerned.

[bemildred]

3. What is happening in Colombia is very interesting.

Uribe seems to be gradually moving away from being a US stooge. One can only guess at his motives, although self-preservation comes to mind, but it would seem reasonable to think that Uribe is now able to operate with greater latitude because of Chavez' successes in Venezuela, and the successes of other leaders like Kirschner in Argentina.

[Judi Lynn]

6. I'll bet you're right. He has had no other choices until recently, as

he had the U.S. breathing down his neck 24/7, after they started sending "advisors," etc. there, and investing such a huge chunk of American taxpayers' money (third in U.S. foreign aid) in beefing up his military to crush the leftists, and advance American oil interests.

[bemildred]

7. Here's another:

Colombia slams US for meddling in internal affairs

BOGOTA, Colombia, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Colombia slammed the United States for interfering in the country's internal affairs after U.S. Ambassador William Wood said he was worried that far-right paramilitaries may interfere in upcoming elections.

Wood said on Friday that illegal paramilitary militias exerted improper pressure in 2003 local elections and he hoped the government will punish those who try to do the same in 2006, when Colombia holds legislative and presidential elections.

In a rare public confrontation between Colombia and the United States, which considers the Andean country its top security ally in South America, the office of President Alvaro Uribe issued a terse statement saying it would not allow other countries to meddle in its affairs.

The United States has given more than $3 billion in mostly military aid since 2000 through "Plan Colombia," a program intended to help Colombia fight the cocaine trade and leftist rebels waging a 41-year war.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N17335403.htm

[donsu]

4. gold stars all around to those meeting to make peace

wishing them success.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

5. kick! n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

10. kick. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

11. Colombian peace talks in Havana

Colombian peace talks in Havana
Rough Cut
01:25
Dec. 20 - Colombia's 2nd-largest guerrilla movement, the ELN, held peace talks with the government in a new attempt to end Latin America's oldest leftist insurgency.

The talks were held in the Cuban capital, Havana, with Colombian Nobel Prize-winning novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez and diplomats from Spain, Norway and Switzerland trying to help end the four-decade civil war.

Antonio Garcia, the second-ranking military commander in the 5,000-strong ELN (National Liberation Army) said no conditions had been set for the preliminary talks.

But he said peace in Colombia would require social and political changes beyond the military realm.
(snip/...)

http://today.reuters.com/tv/videoStory.aspx?isSummitStory=false&storyId=002bf6561734e7f94a37c2ebcc6fb04b267384e6



Antonio Garcia.