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Colombia, militia to begin formal peace talks
Bogota, July 16: Colombia`s right-wing militia agreed to start formal peace talks with the government and fully demobilize by late 2005, the group announced in a joint statement with government officials last night.
Bogota, July 16: Colombia`s right-wing militia agreed to start formal peace talks with the government and fully demobilize by late 2005, the group announced in a joint statement with government officials last night.
Representatives of the united self-defense forces of Colombia (AUC) had been meeting with officials from the government of President Alvaro Uribe in an undisclosed
location seeking to start formal peace talks.
The group`s 10,000 fighters will begin demobilizing before the end of 2003 in a process expected to last at least until December 31, 2005, the statement read.
The statement, titled the "agreement of Santa fe de Ralito," adds that the Colombian government "agrees to help incorporate (AUC members) into the civilian life."
The paramilitaries are the sworn enemies of two other of Colombia`s irregular forces, the 17,000-strong leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the smaller National Liberation Army (ELN).
Washington considers all three groups terrorist organizations.
Human rights groups have blamed all three groups for violations, but especially singles out the AUC for committing some of the worst atrocities and massacres in the country`s lengthy war. More than 200,000 people have been killed in Colombia`s nearly 40-year-old civil war.
The previous government of President Andres Pastrana held years of ultimately fruitless peace negotiations with FARC leaders, even though neither side declared a cease-fire. Talks eventually broke down in February 2002.
Bureau Report
The group`s 10,000 fighters will begin demobilizing before the end of 2003 in a process expected to last at least until December 31, 2005, the statement read.
The statement, titled the "agreement of Santa fe de Ralito," adds that the Colombian government "agrees to help incorporate (AUC members) into the civilian life."
The paramilitaries are the sworn enemies of two other of Colombia`s irregular forces, the 17,000-strong leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the smaller National Liberation Army (ELN).
Washington considers all three groups terrorist organizations.
Human rights groups have blamed all three groups for violations, but especially singles out the AUC for committing some of the worst atrocities and massacres in the country`s lengthy war. More than 200,000 people have been killed in Colombia`s nearly 40-year-old civil war.
The previous government of President Andres Pastrana held years of ultimately fruitless peace negotiations with FARC leaders, even though neither side declared a cease-fire. Talks eventually broke down in February 2002.
Bureau Report