- Title: Colombia, ELN rebels agree ceasefire ahead of Pope's visit
- Date: 4th September 2017
- Summary: QUITO, ECUADOR (SEPTEMBER 4, 2017) (REUTERS) ****WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS EXTERIOR OF ECUADORIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY ECUADORIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, MARIA FERNANDA ESPINOSA, COLOMBIAN CHIEF NEGOTIATOR FOR PEACE DIALOGUES, JUAN CAMILO RESTREPO, AND ELN (NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY) CHIEF NEGOTIATOR, PABLO BELTRAN, ENTER ROOM IN FOREIGN MINISTRY RESTREPO, BELTRAN AND ESPINOSA AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIAN CHIEF NEGOTIATOR FOR PEACE DIALOGUES, JUAN CAMILO RESTREPO, SAYING: "This first step is of immense significance. We've called this a temporary ceasefire - because it's not a definitive end to the conflict - and a bilateral (ceasefire) because it is the fruit of agreements by both parties. It is nevertheless a great step toward the creation of trust and towards the gestures that require the flow of a normal peace process. And, we're sure that the cessation of hostilities presented here today will mark the rest of the agenda that we have. This isn't only an agreement on silencing the bullets between the contending forces over these months, it's also above all an agreement to ease the tribulations of civil society who are those that most harshly receive the blows and sorrows of a conflict of this nature." JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION ECUADORIAN GOVERNMENT DELEGATE, JUAN MERIGUET, SPEAKING WITH ESPINOSA AND RESTREPO GENERAL VIEW OF THE NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ELN (NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY) CHIEF NEGOTIATOR, PABLO BELTRAN, SAYING: "This ceasefire is designed as a relief to the population that suffers the most, and the commitment that each of the parties have made are primarily designed for this. They are meant to provide this relief. It's a challenge for us to comply with all the agreements that we've made a pact to with this agreement. We hope to honour our word, and (hope) that there is also more trust for peace in Colombia, and that the environment of polarization that many want to encourage will be alleviated with these contributions." RESTREPO, ESPINOSA AND BELTRAN HOLD THEIR HANDS UP RESTREPO EXITS, AUDIENCE IN FOREGROUND BELTRAN INSIDE VEHICLE TRANSPORT VEHICLE FOR NEGOTIATORS AT THE EXTERIOR OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY
- Embargoed: 18th September 2017 19:59
- Keywords: Colombia ELN Rebels ceasfire peace negotiations Papal visit to Colombia
- Location: QUITO, ECUADOR
- City: QUITO, ECUADOR
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA0016X6LZD3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Colombia and the Marxist ELN rebel group said on Monday (September 4) they have agreed a bilateral ceasefire that will run through mid-January 2018, just two days before Pope Francis arrives for a visit to the Andean country.
The National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group, which regularly bombs oil installations and kidnaps for ransom, was founded by radical Catholic priests in 1964 and currently is in peace talks with the government to end 53 years of war.
The ceasefire will begin October 1 and finish January 12, with the possibility for extensions if it is respected, President Juan Manuel Santos said in a televised speech. "The priority is to protect citizens, so during this period, kidnappings, attacks on oil pipelines and other hostilities against the civilian population will cease," he added.
The two sides have long said the pope's visit would be a good opportunity to call a ceasefire. The government said details and verification methods were still being finalized and that was why the ceasefire did not begin immediately.
Pope Francis arrives on Wednesday (September 6) evening for a five-day visit to the cities of Bogota, Villavicencio, Medellin and Cartagena. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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