Santos Officially Announces Start of Talks With the FARC-EP

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez shakes hands with the newly-installed Colombian leader Juan Manuel Santos. The two Latin American states have agreed to restore diplomatic ties., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Havana. September 5, 2012

Santos officially announces start of talks with the FARC-EP

BOGOTA.— Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos officially announced on September 4 the initiation of talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP), directed at reaching peace after more than 50 years of armed conflict.

In a public speech, Santos stated that, after six months of exploratory meetings, a framework agreement had been reached to initiate a dialogue between the two parties, based on a five-point agenda.

The first point refers to greater access to land and a more equitable distribution of wealth. The second point is related to guarantees for the army of the political opposition and citizens' participation, Santos stated.

The third point, according to the President, would be the end of armed conflict, the laying down of arms and the integration of FARC-EP into civilian life.

The fourth relates to combating drug trafficking, and the fifth to victims' rights, which implies undertaking a process of clarification of events which occurred during the years of confrontation.

"We have worked seriously and I must recognize that FARC-People’s Army has also done so; everything agreed has been respected," President Santos emphasized.

"It is a very hard road, but we must explore it. It is an opportunity that no government should ignore," he affirmed, after noting, "The use of violence is a thing of the past." Santos emphasized that it is not only Colombia that wants peace, but all of the Latin American countries.

He thanked the governments of Cuba and Norway. "Without their support we would not have reached this point. They will continue being the hosts and guarantors of this process," affirmed the Colombian President, who also acknowledged the cooperative position of the governments of Venezuela and Chile, which will be observers in this process. (With information from PL)