From: "Stasi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Peoples War] Colombia: ELN to Explore Possibility of Cease-fire - Xinhua Colombian Government, ELN to Explore Possibility of Cease-fire ============================================ Xinhuanet 2002-02-03 16:14:43 BOGOTA, February 2 (Xinhuanet) -- The Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) agreed on Saturday to start exploring the possibility of a cease-fire immediately, the Colombian News Agency (Ancol) reported. This was the first time that the government's representatives and the rebel group exchanged views on a cease-fire. They have decided to submit it for discussion at their next meetings. The agreement was reached by "taking into account the will for peace" shown by the two sides during a crucial three-day summit in Havana, Cuba. A commission was also formed for drafting a schedule for the cease-fire-oriented discussions and other issues proposed at the summit. The government will be represented by Gustavo Villegas and Juan Ricardo Ortega in the commission and the ELN, by Francisco Galan and Felipe Torres. Peace Commissioner Camilo Gomez told Colombia's RCN radio station that the two sides will meet again from February 25 to 27 in a place yet to be decided, most likely still in Havana. "We are going to continue exploring the possibility to reach a cease-fire and to seek humanitarian agreements that were recommended at the summit," Gomez said. The 4,500-strong ELN is the second largest guerrilla group in Colombia after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The talks between the group and the government were suspended last August by President Pastrana, who accused the rebels of lacking the will for peace. Their contacts resumed on November 24. Enditem _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
