COLOMBIA-REBELS/CUBA-TALKS FARC guerrilla says bilateral ceasefire is the key to peace negotiations

Record ID: 148535

  • Title: COLOMBIA-REBELS/CUBA-TALKS FARC guerrilla says bilateral ceasefire is the key to peace negotiations
  • Date: 3rd July 2015
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (JULY 3, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA (FARC) DELEGATION ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERA GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FARC NEGOTIATOR, PASTOR ALAPE, SAYING: "At the end of the round that begins today, apart from our willingness to de-escalate the confl
  • Embargoed: 18th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2XSUBB0SNJPO1VU3K2Z6OHYTJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The FARC announced on Friday (July 3) its willingness to pull back on violent armed conflict which has affected the country for more than half a century, despite a recent uptick in attacks against oil and energy installations.
    The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and government negotiators resumed negotiations in Havana focusing on the issue of reparations to victims of the conflict that has left more than 220,000 dead and millions displaced.
    "At the end of the round that begins today, apart from our willingness to de-escalate the conflict," said FARC negotiator, Pastor Alape.
    "The bilateral ceasefire, which is the life for the process, can no longer be repressed with inconsistent statements," he continued referring to a bilateral ceasefire which has been rejected by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on repeated occasions.
    The rebel announcement came a day after two small bombs exploded in Bogota causing minor injuries to 10 people and damage of property. The event prompted Santos to cancel a trip to Peru to participate in a regional summit.
    The Colombian leader suggested that the attacks were committed by the guerrilla, but did not specify whether it was the FARC or the National Liberation Army (ELN). Neither the FARC nor the ELN has taken responsibility for the blasts.
    Several regions of Colombia have been affected in the last month by an escalation of FARC attacks on oil pipelines, energy towers and military personnel, however, they have not targeted large urban centres.
    The peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the FARC have already spanned a thirty month period and have yet to reach a lasting, peaceful conclusion.
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