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DATE=10/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-240231
TITLE=COLOMBIA REBELS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  GOVERNMENT TROOPS IN COLOMBIA HAVE BEEN ORDERED EFFECTIVE
NOVEMBER 7THTO PULL BACK FROM AN AREA LARGER THAN SWITZERLAND  TO
PERMIT  PEACE TALKS WITH THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST GUERRILLA GROUP.  
WE HAVE DETAILS FROM CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK IN OUR SOUTH 
AMERICA BUREAU.
TEXT: COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ANDRES PASTRANA -- IN OFFICE FOR ONLY 
TWO MONTHS -- ANNOUNCED THE EXPECTED TROOP PULLBACK WEDNESDAY 
NIGHT, CONFIRMING HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO TRY TO END THREE 
DECADES OF GUERRILLA VIOLENCE. 
               // PASTRANA ACT WITH TRANSLATION //
         THIS MEASURE WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR 90 DAYS, IN ORDER TO 
         FACILITATE A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE 
         REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA -- FARC -- THAT 
         CAN LEAD TO GENUINE AND LASTING PEACE. 
                          // END ACT //
MR. PASTRANA GAVE FARC OFFICIAL RECOGNITION AS A POLITICAL 
MOVEMENT.  THE GOVERNMENT WILL NEGOTIATE WITH ITS THREE 
DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES. BEFORE THE TALKS BEGIN FARC WILL 
VERIFY THAT TROOPS HAVE REALLY BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE AREA. 
MR. PASTRANA SAID THERE WILL BE  NO  WINNERS OR LOSERS IN THE 
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS, BUT -- IN HIS WORDS -- THE BUILDING OF A NEW 
DEMOCRACY.  THE REBELS CALL FOR POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL 
REFORMS. 
THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS WELCOMED BY POLITICAL LEADERS, INCLUDING  
DEFEATED PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HORACIO SERPA. THEY REAFFIRMED 
THEIR SUPPORT FOR PEACE TALKS WITH THE REBELS. 
                       // REST OPTIONAL //
THE TEMPORARY DEMILITARIZATION WILL TAKE PLACE IN FOUR 
MUNICIPALITIES IN THE CENTRAL DEPARTMENT OF META -- URIBE, 
MESETAS, MACARENA, AND VISTA HERMOSA -- AS WELL AS THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF SAN VICENTE DE CAGUAN IN THE SOUTHERN DEPARTMENT 
OF CAQUETA. 
COLOMBIA'S GUERRILLA WARFARE HAS CLAIMED 35-THOUSAND LIVES IN THE
PAST DECADE, AND UPROOTED ONE MILLION PEOPLE.  THE GOVERNMENT HAS
ALSO AGREED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE COUNTRY'S SECOND LARGEST REBEL 
FORCE, THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/KL
15-Oct-98 9:55 AM EDT (1355 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.