Dave Hartley 2219 GMT, 991025 Colombia � The National Liberation
Army (ELN) released Italian engineer Marco Tentorio Oct. 23, after holding
him for 17 months. Tentorio would not reveal whether a ransom had been
paid to secure his freedom. 2213 GMT, 991025 Colombia �
While raiding a cocaine laboratory in the Cauca department Oct. 24,
Colombian soldiers killed 19 rebels belonging to the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC). 2208 GMT, 991025 Colombia/United
States � Gen. Charles Wilhelm, commander of the U.S. Southern
Command, said the United States will support a new Colombian joint
intelligence center at Tres Esquinas air base. "The United States simply
delivers equipment, training and technical support, but the intelligence
organization itself is purely Colombian, " he said Oct. 20. 2203 GMT, 991025 Colombia �
Ricardo Palmera Pineda, alias Simon Trinidad, rejected speculation about
rifts within the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). "There are
no divisions, nor ruptures," said the leader of the Caribbean Bloc Oct.
20. "These are the (army) generals' lies that say that there is a
political and a military line, one hard and one soft." The government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia (FARC) will inaugurate long-awaited peace talks Oct. 24. Since
President Andres Pastrana took office in August 1998, he has been working
towards this moment. At the same time, it appears the government is also
attempting to bring the smaller National Liberation Army (ELN) to the
bargaining table. Part of Pastrana�s plan involves the financial support
of the international community. The next few weeks are likely to determine
whether or not Pastrana gets the financial assistance he requested. [more] 2330 GMT, 991012 � Paramilitary Proposal Questions Rebel
Commitment to Peace The United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia
(AUC) announced Oct. 10 that it would be willing to withdraw its troops
from several regions if guerrilla organizations end their practice of
kidnapping civilians and extorting ransoms for their victims. This
proposal places pressure on guerrilla organizations, especially the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), as a test of their
commitment to peace. [more]
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COLOMBIA
Background Information:
FARC
| ELN | Paramilitary Organizations
0141 GMT, 991025 � Pastrana Hedging his Bets Ahead of Peace
Talks
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