COLOMBIA-REBELS/FARC FARC reassures Colombia on violence amidst strained peace talks

Record ID: 143528

  • Title: COLOMBIA-REBELS/FARC FARC reassures Colombia on violence amidst strained peace talks
  • Date: 18th August 2015
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (AUGUST 18, 2015) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FARC LEADER, RODRIGO GRANDA, SAYING: "But we believe that (President Juan Manuel Santos) set the clock in an erroneous way, it appears that they're going to launch a special rocket, starting with a countdown, ten, nine, eight, seven, six. When there is just one month left set by the president they will say ther
  • Embargoed: 2nd September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Colombia
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAEFESLXPEYODOOZSRH06Z3JA23
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT INCLUDES MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
    The FARC expressed optimism on Tuesday (August 18) regarding the ongoing peace talks with the Colombian government, raising the possibility of extending the unilateral ceasefire declared one month ago in Havana.
    The administration of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have been negotiating an accord in Cuba since the end of 2012 in an effort to end the armed conflict that has killed more than 200,000 people in more than half a century.
    "But I think the country can rest at ease, we won't take any hasty action, but we don't like to threaten. We have seen that in general terms the process is moving forward and can improve absolutely in the near future," said Rodrigo Granda, one of the FARC negotiators in Havana.
    Although he declined to comment on how long the truce would last, Granda said in an interview with Reuters that the insurgent group may be willing to extend the unilateral ceasefire declared last July 20 when talks resume on Thursday (August 20) with the government delegation.
    But, he added that both sides would need to proceed carefully.
    "Nor are we at the question of the process being irreversible. It has advanced and we can advanced much further. In the distance it is possible to sign a final agreement but the dangers are increasing," he said.
    Granada also said that the rebels hoped for a meeting with Pope Francis when he visits Cuba from September 19-22.
    "We would be very satisfied with (Pope Francis) being able to talk to officials at the negotiating table in Havana. We also know that it is a short visit with a tight agenda but for us as the FARC it would be extraordinary, for Colombia as a country it would be extraordinary and for Latin America and the world it would be a demonstration that the pope is true in his infinite wisdom and could help a lot at an opportune moment," he said.
    The FARC and the Colombian government announced in July its intention to decrease the intensity of the conflict and expedite the peace negotiations after attacks on pipelines and bombings of rebel camps plunged the talks into crisis.
    Despite the contradictions that have arisen, the negotiations have made more progress that any other efforts at ending the conflict.
    The sides have reached agreements to provide access to land for poor farmers, facilitate the conversion of the rebels into a political party, fight drug trafficking and work towards demining.
    Currently, they are discussing compensation for victims.
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