DATE=3/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228058
TITLE=COLOMBIA REBELS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: COLOMBIA IS FORMING A SPECIAL MILITARY TASK FORCE TO
PURSUE GUERRILLAS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES IN THE
SOUTHERN DEPARTMENT OF CAQUETA (KAH-KAY-TAH'), WHERE GOVERNMENT
TROOPS SUFFERED A SERIOUS REVERSE LAST WEEK. WE HAVE DETAILS FROM
V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK IN OUR SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU.
TEXT: COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ERNESTO SAMPER SAYS THE FIVE-THOUSAND
MEMBER TASK FORCE, DRAWN FROM ALL OF THE ARMED SERVICES, IS
CHARGED WITH BRINGING AVAILABLE POWER TO BEAR AGAINST THE
GUERRILLAS, PARAMILITARY DEATH SQUADS, AND DRUG TRAFFICKERS IN
THE REGION.
HOWEVER, PRESIDENT SAMPER SAYS THE TROOPS HAVE BEEN URGED TO USE
CAUTION IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO RESCUE THE 43 SOLDIERS CAPTURED BY
THE REBELS IN LAST WEEK'S FIGHTING. HE APPEALED TO THE REBELS TO
GIVE EVIDENCE THAT THE SOLDIERS ARE ALIVE, AND TO RELEASE THEM
UNHARMED.
THE COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT SAYS THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT GIVEN UP HOPE
FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE DECADES-OLD GUERRILLA CONFLICT. HE
SAYS HE PREFERS THAT THE ISSUES BE RESOLVED IN A NATIONAL
CONVENTION OR ASSEMBLY, AS THE REBELS HAVE PROPOSED, RATHER THAN
IN COMBAT.
MR. SAMPER ADMITTED LAST WEEK THAT THE CLASH IN THE REMOTE JUNGLE
ALONG THE CAGUAN RIVER WAS A SERIOUS BLOW TO THE ARMED FORCES.
THE FARC GUERRILLAS KILLED 63 SOLDIERS AND THE ARMY KILLED AT
LEAST 40 REBELS, WHOSE BODIES WERE FOUND IN COMMON GRAVES. SOME
OF THE ARMY DEAD HAVE NOT YET BEEN IDENTIFIED, PENDING TESTS OF
THEIR D-N-A.
THE HEAVY GOVERNMENT LOSSES IN THE FIGHTING HAVE LED TO CRITICISM
OF THE MILITARY STRATEGY FOLLOWED IN PURSUING THE REBELS. AN
INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS NEGLIGENCE.
THE NEW JOINT TASK FORCE IS TO BE UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL
RAFAEL HERNANDEZ, THE INSPECTOR OF THE ARMED FORCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/WDC/PT
12-Mar-98 5:38 PM EST (2238 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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