- Title: Colombian rebels sign revised peace deal
- Date: 13th November 2016
- Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (NOVEMBER 12, 2016) (REUTERS) OFFICIALS AT SIGNING OF NEW PEACE ACCORD BETWEEN REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA (FARC) AND COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT FARC NEGOTIATOR IVAN MARQUEZ SIGNING PEACE ACCORD NEGOTIATORS SIGNING PEACE ACCORD NEXT TO CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER BRUNO RODRIGUEZ COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATOR HUMBERTO DE LA CALLE SIGNING PEACE ACCORD AUTHORITIES LOOKING ON CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER BRUNO RODRIGUEZ HANDING SIGNED PEACE ACCORDS TO MARQUEZ AND DE LA CALLE PEOPLE APPLAUDING DE LA CALLE PREPARING TO SPEAK (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HUMBERTO DE LA CALLE, COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATOR, SAYING: "This accord was an opportunity to resolve many criticisms and dissatisfactions, but, above all, to unite us as Colombians. Once against we prove that, despite differences and different visions, through dialogue, it is possible to reach points in common." FARC NEGOTIATORS LOOKING ON MARQUEZ PREPARING TO SPEAK (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) IVAN MARQUEZ, FARC NEGOTIATOR, SAYING: "We present the Colombian nation the new definite peace accord which we prefer to call the Hope Accord, a powerful instrument to democratize the country and for people's rights to materialize." OFFICIALS SHAKING HANDS
- Embargoed: 28th November 2016 01:48
- Keywords: COLOMBIA PEACE
- Location: HAVANA, CUBA
- City: HAVANA, CUBA
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime
- Reuters ID: LVA0015852O93
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Colombia's government and Marxist guerillas said on Saturday (November 12) they agreed on a revised peace deal to end a 52-year war, six weeks after the original was narrowly rejected in a referendum amid objections it was too favourable to the rebels.
The government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who have been holding talks in Havana for four years, said in a joint statement they had incorporated proposals from various groups in the new deal.
"This accord was an opportunity to resolve many criticisms and dissatisfactions, but, above all, to unite us as Colombians. Once against we prove that, despite differences and different visions, through dialogue, it is possible to reach points in common," said Colombia's lead government negotiator, Humberto de la Calle.
De la Calle said one main change is a requirement the FARC present a complete inventory of its assets, which are destined for victim compensation.
The new accord also takes foreign magistrates off special peace tribunals, although there will be foreign observers, and stipulates the FARC must turn in "exhaustive and detailed" information about its involvement in the drugs trade, de la Calle said.
"We present the Colombian nation the new definite peace accord which we prefer to call the Hope Accord, a powerful instrument to democratize the country and for people's rights to materialize," said the FARC's lead negotiator, Ivan Marquez.
However, former President Alvaro Uribe, who led opposition to the original accord, said his camp and victims of the conflict, which has killed more than 220,000 and displaced millions, should be able briefly to study the new deal before it is implemented.
"I have asked the president that the texts they announce in Havana not be definitive," he said in a statement posted on his Twitter account, adding that the opposition might want to make further tweaks.
No details were released on whether the deal addresses the main concerns of the Uribe-led opposition, namely guaranteed congressional seats for the FARC and immunity from traditional jail sentences for leaders.
President Juan Manuel Santos, who last month won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the war, has staked his legacy on a deal and spent the last few weeks scrambling to salvage it.
It was unclear if he will put the new accord up for another popular vote. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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