Colombia's FARC would accept US lawmakers in talks(to free hostages including 3 Americans)

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters AlertNet

Colombia's FARC would accept US lawmakers in talks
BOGOTA, March 26 (Reuters) - Left-wing Colombian rebels said they have accepted an offer from U.S. lawmakers to witness negotiations to free 61 hostages, including three Americans, that they have held for years in secret jungle camps.

Seven Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote a letter to Colombia this month offering to accompany any future negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which has been fighting since the 1960s.

"In terms of a prisoner exchange, progressive people and friends of peace from the United States can contribute to a solution to this part of the Colombian conflict," FARC spokesman Raul Reyes told Noticias Uno television late on Sunday.

The Colombian government, which has also said it would welcome the participation of the U.S. lawmakers, wants to exchange 61 politicians and other high-profile hostages for an unspecified number of rebels in government prisons.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N26372154.htm

[BayCityProgressive]

1. WHAT !?!?!?

WHY WASTE TIME TALKING WHEN WE CAN JUST KILL EM ALL! IT WORKED GREAT IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN!

[Bacchus39]

2. friends of peace???

since when was that important to the FARC?

[BayCityProgressive]

3. They are probably trying to moderate

and increasetheir hand in power now that the government is under such a firestorm. Although theymost likely have ulterior motives, we should do whatever we can to moderate both sides there or the bloodshed will never stop.

[Bacchus39]

the FARC hasn't expressed willingness to participate in the peace process

although most of the paramilitaries have demobilized. whether outside forces believe that the terms are too lenient are not, if one group isn't willing to compromise then "the bloodshed will never stop."

[Bacchus39]

4. the FARC hasn't expressed willingness to participate in the peace process

although most of the paramilitaries have demobilized. whether outside forces believe that the terms are too lenient are not, if one group isn't willing to compromise then "the bloodshed will never stop."

[Judi Lynn]

5. Swiss get US support in Colombia peace talks

Issue 35 - March, 2007
By: Peace Journalism Posted on: 3/25/2007

Swiss get US support in Colombia peace talks

Former French presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt has been held hostage by the Farc for over five years (Keystone Archive)

Switzerland says it welcomes US support in its efforts, alongside France and Spain, to mediate in peace talks between the Colombian government and rebels.

Seven Democrat politicians have agreed to join the European mediating group in negotiations between the government and the main leftwing rebel group, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), which could help clinch a prisoner swap.
(snip)

The guerrillas were organized in the 1960s to force land reforms and other measures meant to close the wide gap that separates rich and poor in this Andean country. They fund their operations with extortion, kidnapping for ransom, drug smuggling and contraband gasoline.
(snip/)

http://peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=18175