DATE=10/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239805
TITLE=COLOMBIA ACCORD (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: COLOMBIA'S POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE AGREED ON COMPREHENSIVE
REFORMS AND SPECIAL POWERS FOR THE PRESIDENT IN NEGOTIATING WITH
LEFTIST GUERRILLAS. WE HAVE DETAILS FROM CORRESPONDENT GEORGE
MEEK IN OUR SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU.
TEXT: PRESIDENT ANDRES PASTRANA, OPPOSITION PARTY LEADERS, AND
THE PRESIDENTS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SIGNED
THE ACCORD, KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL AGREEMENT FOR POLITICAL REFORM.
THE MEASURES MUST BE RATIFIED TWICE BY CONGRESS, WHICH IS
EXPECTED TO TAKE SIX MONTHS.
THE ACCORD GIVES PRESIDENT PASTRANA AUTHORITY TO PARDON LEFTIST
GUERRILLAS, DECLARE DEMILITARIZED ZONES, AND INVEST IN ECONOMIC
AND SOCIAL PROJECTS CALLED FOR BY THE REBELS. THE PRESIDENT,
WHO TOOK OFFICE IN AUGUST, HAS PROMISED TO PERSONALLY NEGOTIATE
WITH THE GUERRILLAS IN AN EFFORT TO END THREE DECADES OF
BLOODSHED.
THE ACCORD CALLS FOR FUTURE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS TO BE
FULLY FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT, IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID POLITICAL
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE DRUG CARTELS, WHICH CAUSED A SCANDAL IN
THE 1994 CAMPAIGN.
THE REFORM CALLS FOR POLITICAL PARTIES TO PRESENT SINGLE SLATES
OF CANDIDATES FOR LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS, AND FOR NEW ELECTIONS TO
BE CALLED IF BLANK VOTES WIN A MAJORITY.
THE REFORM CALLS FOR CERTAIN POSITIONS, SUCH AS COMPTROLLER,
ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND REGISTRAR, TO BE HELD BY MEMBERS OF
OPPOSITION PARTIES IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNDUE GOVERNMENT
INFLUENCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/WDC/WFR
06-Oct-98 5:06 PM EDT (2106 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
