DATE=4/7/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229349
TITLE=COLOMBIA REBELS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: COLOMBIA SAYS THE DEATH OF A LEFTIST GUERRILLA LEADER ENDS
A CHAPTER IN THE COUNTRY'S LONG AND BLOODY ARMED CONFLICT. THE
NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY REVEALED ON MONDAY THAT ITS LEADER,
MANUEL PEREZ, DIED ON FEBRUARY 14TH OF HEPATITIS. WE HAVE DETAILS
FROM CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK IN OUR SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU.
TEXT: MANUEL PEREZ -- A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST FROM SPAIN -- LED
COLOMBIA'S SECOND-LARGEST GUERRILLA GROUP FROM 1973 UNTIL HIS
DEATH AT THE AGE OF 54. THE PRO-CASTRO GROUP, WHICH NOW HAS THREE
TO FOUR THOUSAND MEMBERS, REPEATEDLY ATTACKS COLOMBIA'S OIL
PIPELINE TO PROTEST FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE AREA.
THE GOVERNMENT SAID IN A BRIEF STATEMENT THAT IT HOPES THE MEMORY
OF THE DECEASED GUERRILLA LEADER WILL CONTRIBUTE TO OPENING A NEW
DIALOGUE THAT WILL LEAD TO RECONCILIATION FOR ALL COLOMBIANS.
FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE DEATH OF FATHER PEREZ IN FEBRUARY,
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY AND THE COLOMBIAN
GOVERNMENT SIGNED A SECRET PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT IN MADRID TO
BEGIN TALKS IN JUNE ON HOLDING A NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS ONE
OF THE REBEL DEMANDS. WHEN THE STORY LEAKED TO THE MEDIA, THE
REBELS SUSPENDED THE ACCORD, SAYING THE GOVERNMENT WAS USING IT
FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES WITH AN EYE TO THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS AT
THE END OF MAY.
THE GOVERNMENT'S STATEMENT ON FATHER PEREZ'S DEATH SAYS THE
SPIRIT THAT INSPIRED THE PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT IN MADRID REFLECTS
HIS LAST WISH FOR PEACE. TERRORISM EXPERTS SAY THE NEW LEADER OF
THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY, NICOLAS RODRIGUEZ, MAY BE LESS
CONCILIATORY.
THE REBELS KIDNAPPED 11 JOURNALISTS LAST FRIDAY SO THEY COULD
COVER MR. RODRIGUEZ'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DEATH OF FATHER PEREZ.
THE JOURNALISTS WERE THEN RELEASED UNHARMED. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/TMD/PLM
07-Apr-98 7:47 PM EDT (2347 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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