DATE=6/9/98
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
NUMBER=5-40635
TITLE=COLOMBIA VIOLENCE
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: COLOMBIA'S RANCHERS SAY THREE DECADES OF GUERRILLA
VIOLENCE HAVE INFLICTED A HEAVY TOLL ON THEIR OPERATION, AND THEY
LONG FOR PEACE. SOUTH AMERICA CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK REPORTS
BOTH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES IN THE JUNE 21ST ELECTION SAY THEY
HAVE MADE PEACE THEIR TOP PRIORITY.
TEXT: THE PRESIDENT OF THE COLOMBIAN CATTLE RAISERS' FEDERATION
(SPANISH: FEDERACION COLOMBIANA DE GANADEROS), JORGE VISBAL, SAYS
LACK OF SECURITY IS THE NUMBER-ONE PROBLEM FOR THE COUNTRY'S
RANCHERS.
// VISBAL ACT WITH TRANSLATION //
COLOMBIA IS EXPERIENCING A REAL WAR, AND IT IS FELT MOST
ACUTELY IN THE RURAL AREA, WHERE THE CATTLE RAISERS ARE
ATTACKED BY THE GUERRILLAS AND CONSIDERED TO BE MILITARY
TARGETS. THIS CAUSES ENORMOUS LOSSES.
// END ACT //
MR. VISBAL SAYS LAST YEAR THE BEEF AND DAIRY SECTOR LOST 700
MILLION DOLLARS BECAUSE OF GUERRILLA VIOLENCE. MORE THAN 400
RANCHERS WERE KIDNAPPED AND 37 WERE ASSASSINATED.
THE LIVESTOCK SECTOR IS BUT ONE ELEMENT OF COLOMBIAN SOCIETY THAT
HAS SUFFERED FROM THE VIOLENCE, WHICH HAS KILLED 35-THOUSAND
PEOPLE IN THE LAST DECADE AND FORCED ONE MILLION PEOPLE TO FLEE
FROM THEIR HOMES.
THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF THE RULING LIBERAL PARTY, HORACIO
SERPA, SAYS THE PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE FOR PEACE.
// SPANISH FADES UNDER //
HE SAYS, PEACE, PEACE, PEACE HAS TO BE THE OBJECTIVE OF A
STRUGGLE IN WHICH ALL COLOMBIANS TAKE PART.
MR. SERPA'S VICE-PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE, FORMER FOREIGN
MINISTER MARIA EMMA MEJIA, SAYS IT IS CLEAR THAT NEITHER THE
GOVERNMENT NOR THE REBELS CAN WIN THE WAR, SO SERIOUS
NEGOTIATIONS MUST BEGIN.
// MEJIA ACT //
WE HAVE TO READ AND LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT FARC AND
E-L-N -- THE TWO MAJOR INSURGENT GROUPS -- HAVE HAD TO
SAY IN THE PAST. THEY HAVE EACH ISSUED A SERIOUS
DOCUMENT WITH POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL REFORMS
THAT WILL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN ORDER FOR THE COUNTRY
TO BRING THEM BACK INTO OUR DEMOCRACY.
// END ACT //
MS. MEJIA SAYS COLOMBIA WILL NEED HELP FROM THE UNITED NATIONS
AND THE UNITED STATES IN THE PEACE PROCESS.
MR. SERPA AND HIS OPPONENT FROM THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY, ANDRES
PASTRANA, HAVE BOTH PROMISED TO PERSONALLY LEAD NEGOTIATIONS WITH
GUERRILLA LEADERS, AND GUARANTEE THEIR SAFETY FOR THE TALKS IN
CEASE-FIRE ZONES. MR. SERPA SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF A CONSTITUENT
ASSEMBLY ON THE REBEL DEMANDS; MR. PASTRANA ADVOCATES A NATIONAL
REFERENDUM.
FORMER BOGOTA MAYOR ANTANAS MOCKUS, WHO RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR
VICE-PRESIDENT ON THE TICKET OF INDEPENDENT NOEMI SANIN, SAYS THE
RIGHTIST PARAMILITARY GROUPS WHO MASSACRE PEASANTS IN AN EFFORT
TO KILL SUSPECTED GUERRILLA SUPPORTERS MUST ALSO BE INCLUDED IN
THE PEACE TALKS.
// MOCKUS ACT WITH TRANSLATION //
I THINK IT IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE FOR THE PARAMILITARY
REPRESENTATIVES TO BE AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE IF
POSSIBLE. THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE SAFETY OF
THE EX-GUERRILLAS. IF THE PARAMILITARY GROUPS ARE NOT
REPRESENTED, THERE IS A RISK THAT THEY WILL ENGAGE IN
RETALIATION OR NOT UNDERSTAND THE PEACE PROCESS.
// END ACT //
COLOMBIA'S TWO MAIN REBEL GROUPS SAY THEY ARE WILLING TO
NEGOTIATE WITH WHOEVER IS ELECTED ON JUNE 21ST. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/LTD/JO
09-Jun-98 10:47 AM EDT (1447 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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