- Title: CUBA: Colombia peace talks with FARC rebels resume
- Date: 26th August 2013
- Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (AUGUST 26, 2013) (REUTERS) PEACE NEGOTIATORS REPRESENTING THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA (FARC) ARRIVING FOR PEACE TALKS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) IVAN MARQUEZ, LEAD NEGOTIATOR FOR REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA (FARC), SAYING: "The initiative presented before Congress by the government as a first step to endorse the eventual agreement, shou
- Embargoed: 10th September 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Cuba
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA58K5IXW9YE0ZFUQ5W44TNSX2V
- Story Text: Colombia's FARC rebels said on Monday (August 26) they would remain in talks until peace is achieved with the government, but reiterated they would not accept a government proposal to hold a referendum in 2014 to ratify a final peace accord.
Colombia's government and FARC rebels resumed peace talks on Monday, two days after both sides cast doubt on the process by suspending negotiations.
President Juan Manuel Santos sent his team back to talks hosted by Cuba after verifying that the FARC was prepared to head back to the negotiating table.
Santos called his negotiators back to Colombia on Friday after the FARC said hours earlier it would take time out to study the government's draft bill that would require any peace deal with the guerrillas to be put to a popular vote.
Santos, who is widely expected to run for a second presidential term next year, said on Friday he accepted the FARC's right to study the referendum proposal for a short time, but later asserted the rebel leadership would not dictate any stoppages in the talks.
The suspension was a setback after nine months of difficult discussions.
"The initiative presented before Congress by the government as a first step to endorse the eventual agreement, should one be reached in Havana, is not binding. We don't agree with it and we don't subject the talks and their results to the mentioned unilateral decision. However, and in spite of the circumstances, the FARC-EP (The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army) will remain in talks, faithful to the commitment of looking for peace in Colombia by all means possible," said FARC lead negotiator Ivan Marquez before entering the talks.
The FARC, considered a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union, has insisted a constituent assembly be formed and be charged with incorporating the content of the peace deals into the country's constitution. The government has rejected that demand.
"Why is the government afraid of the constituent (assembly) with the terms suggested in article 376 of the Constitution? We are not afraid of it. It's the best way because in the mentioned scenario, if everything is achieved which would guarantee a long duration to national peace, such as the political, economic reform and the reform to the electoral process, etc. Why isn't the country clearly told which is the peace the government dreams of? What is the argument to put a brake on institutional changes which could guarantee peace?" Marquez added.
While the walkout was short-lived, such interruptions may become more common as talks progress through the tough five-point agenda.
Under discussion now is the FARC's incorporation into the political system, one of the thorniest issues. Santos has said he wants talks concluded by the end of the year.
"We don't want the gift from the lawmakers, if it comes with a price that while some of our people go to Congress, others will be destined to jail or be condemned to extradition."
Both sides have much at stake. Santos has bet his political legacy on bringing peace to the Andean nation, while a military victory for the FARC rebels now looks less likely after a 10-year U.S.-backed military offensive that slashed their numbers to about 8,000 from 17,000.
Colombians are desperate to see an end to the war that has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions since it began in 1964. Santos is also eager to begin negotiating with the National Liberation Army, a smaller rebel group known as the ELN, to cement peace.
The government is still combating the nearly five-decade old guerrilla movement militarily, having refused to declare a ceasefire.
Thirteen soldiers were ambushed and killed by the FARC on Saturday in the oil-producing province of Arauca, the army said. In July, rebels killed 19 soldiers in two separate attacks. Most of them were protecting an oil pipeline in the country's northeast. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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