Colombia suggests demilitarization for exchange of prisoners

Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa
Published: Thursday September 28, 2006

Bogota- The Colombian government Thursday suggested the creation of a "demilitarized zone" to facilitate the exchange of imprisoned leftist rebels for hostages, who include many public officials held for years by leftist rebels. President Alvaro Uribe would not object to a complete withdrawal of security forces from the south-western towns of Florida and Pradera, according to Alvaro Leyva, the government's official in charge of peace negotiations.

Leyva said that rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) would in turn have to remove from the area all armed elements.

Uribe, who focussed mainly on security issues during his first term in office, has been reluctant to discuss such an exchange despite pressure from the families of the hostages. But in his his second inaugural speech in August, he pledged to work more actively towards a peaceful resolution of the 40-year-old Colombian conflict during his second term.

The government has already made substantial efforts to disarm and resettle right-wing militias over the past year or so.

The Catholic church and FARC have reacted with scepticism to the proposal.

"This offer is not very easy to realise. This is not a step that will lead to a humanitarian agreement," said the president of the Colombian Bishops' Conference, Fabian Marulanda.

FARC spokesmen denied having held any negotiations with the government, and charged that Uribe's real intention was to free the hostages through the use of force.

The government's plan contemplates the mediation of observers from countries like Spain, France and Switzerland, and the presence of an "international military unit" to guarantee the safety of both parties.

However, Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos has warned that such actions should not serve "to reinforce the military position" of the rebels. He made specific reference to the town of San Vicente del Caguan, a demilitarized zone that was 1999-2002 the scene of failed peace talks between FARC and the government of Uribe's predecessor, Andres Pastrana.

According to Colombian media, FARC's hostages include 45 members of Colombia's armed forces, three US citizens and several political leaders, notably one-time presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.

FARC have long demanded release of rebels held in the country's prisons in exchange for hostages. The largest of several left-wing militias in Colombia with an estimated 17,000 fighters, it has waged a 40-year war against the Colombian central government.

Uribe began negotiating with in 2004 with the right-wing United Self-Defence Groups of Colombia (AUC), leading to the demobilization of around 30,650 members. One more paramilitary squad remains.

© 2006 DPA - Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa