- Title: COLOMBIA: Spain's Crown Prince Felipe speaks to victims of terrorism
- Date: 30th May 2009
- Summary: MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA (MAY 29, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PRINCE FELIPE AND COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ALVARO URIBE SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEMS
- Embargoed: 14th June 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Colombia
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: International Relations,Royalty
- Reuters ID: LVA4AG4B9R0VP0J3N9TOXM7PQS8Y
- Story Text: On the fourth day of Spain's Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Princess Letizia's visit to Colombia, the royal couple landed in the fashionable city of Medellin on Friday (May 29).
They were there to participate in a victims of terrorism conference, where they were welcomed by a crowd of 1,600 people, among them hostages that have escaped jungle camps run by Colombian rebels.
Uribe has taken a hard-line against the leftist rebels that have fought against the government for 45 years in Colombia. The biggest FARC rebel group says it wants to start talks with the government but Uribe insists that the rebels first must cease bombing, kidnapping and drug smuggling.
"Peace is born in the exercise of democracy by the authorities, not by conciliatory measures made through the pacts with criminals," Uribe said.
When Prince Felipe addressed The Victims of Terrorism Forum he said that society must also play a role in rehabilitation of the survivors.
"Here today are many people that have suffered great pain at the hands of terrorism, something that nothing and no one can repair, and that deserve the greatest attention and comprehension from society if we are to pride ourselves with the consideration that that society is as a minimum based on a model of healthy coexistence," he said.
The royal pair is coming to the end of their five-day tour to Colombia. Their next stop will be El Salvador, where they will meet President-elect Mauricio Funes, who is to take office in June. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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