- Title: COLOMBIA: Juan Manuel Santos hails progress in peace talks
- Date: 7th November 2013
- Summary: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3 BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF CASA NARINO PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
- Embargoed: 22nd November 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Cuba
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAQPTOM4KZSVP967NCR4NTNNN4
- Story Text: Colombia's president, Juan Manuel Santos, hailed on Wednesday (November 6) an agreement reached between the government and Marxist FARC rebels on the guerrillas' future in politics, one of the thorniest issues addressed in peace talks in Cuba.
The FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, has been fighting the government in a jungle and urban conflict that has killed more than 200,000 people in the five decades since it began as a peasant movement seeking land reform.
The partial accord may clear the way for FARC to enter Colombian politics, which chief government negotiator Humberto de la Calle said would provide a "new democratic opening" and cement peace after an end of conflict.
Santos spoke to the nation on Wednesday night in a televised address.
"Never before - never before - have we come so far on the road to end our conflict. Now we are gong to begin to discuss a third point: the issue of drug trafficking. Can you imagine a Colombia without conflict and without coca? That Colombia, that marvellous Colombia is possible and we are heading toward that goal," he said.
Like other Latin American guerrilla groups, the FARC aspires to become a political party if a peace deal is signed.
Santos, criticised heavily by the opposition for negotiating with the rebels, has been eager to show progress after a year of talks that had until now yielded only incomplete agreement on the first of a five-point agenda. He defended the pace of the talks.
"But we have to understand that peace is not made with friends, but with enemies. This process is complex and a conflict of 50 years is very difficult to end in 50 weeks. Fortunately, there are results that allow us to remain firm in the hope of reaching a final accord," he said.
He dismissed the idea of a pause in peace talks before congressional and presidential elections next year, insisting they instead "accelerate" after making new progress.
"When we advance, when results are seen, it is not a moment to stop, but completely on the contrary - to accelerate, to continue with more spirit and with more enthusiasm to put an end to the conflict in a definite way. It would be irresponsible to break off talks or to take a break when we are making real advances. I would be irresponsible to sacrifice the best opportunity for peace that country has had for political calculations or questions of time," he said.
Wednesday's development will likely lift Santos' popularity and provide momentum should he decide by the Nov. 25 deadline to seek a second presidential term in elections next May. Many believe a second term hinges on progress in the peace talks.
The centre-right Santos has seen his approval ratings slump in the last few months, partly due to the perception that he has offered too many concessions to the rebels in return for little.
Partial accord has been reached on land reform from an agenda that also includes reparation to the FARC's victims, tackling Colombia's drug trade, and an end to fighting. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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