DATE=2/8/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245278
TITLE=COLOMBIA REBELS (L ONLY) CQ
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: VENEZUELA WILL HOST TALKS THIS WEEK BETWEEN THE COLOMBIAN
GOVERNMENT AND THE SECOND LARGEST COLOMBIAN GUERRILLA GROUP, THE
NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY. WE HAVE DETAILS FROM CORRESPONDENT
GEORGE MEEK IN OUR SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU.
TEXT: VENEZUELAN FOREIGN MINSTER JOSE VICENTE RANGEL CONFIRMS
PLANS FOR THE TALKS IN CARACAS. HE HAS NOT ANNOUNCED THE EXACT
DATE.
THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY HELD PRELIMINARY TALKS WITH
COLOMBIAN AUTHORITIES LAST YEAR IN GERMANY. THE REBELS SAY THEY
WANT A DEMILITARIZED ZONE SIMILAR TO THE ONE THE GOVERNMENT
CREATED FOR A DIALOGUE WITH COLOMBIA'S LARGEST GUERRILLA GROUP,
THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES -- FARC.
THAT ZONE WAS TO HAVE BEEN DISSOLVED ON SUNDAY, BUT THE
GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO MAINTAIN ITS EXISTENCE FOR ANOTHER
90-DAYS. FARC SAYS IT DOES NOT WANT TO TALK AGAIN UNTIL THE
GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION AGAINST RIGHTIST DEATH SQUADS. THE
GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO RESUME THE TALKS SOONER.
COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ANDRES PASTRANA HAS GAINED IN POPULARITY
BECAUSE OF HIS HANDLING OF THE DIALOGUE WITH HIS COUNTRY'S
GUERRILLAS AND RELIEF FOLLOWING LAST MONTH'S EARTHQUAKE. THE
LATEST PUBLIC OPINION POLL IN COLOMBIA'S MAJOR CITIES SHOW MR.
PASTRANA HAS A 55-PERCENT APPROVAL RATING, UP FROM 37-PERCENT TWO
MONTHS AGO.
///REST OPT///
MEAWNHILE, PERUVIAN PRESIDENT ALBERTO FUJIMORI HAS ORDERED TROOPS
ON THE ALERT ALONG THE BORDER TO BLOCK INCURSIONS INTO PERU BY
COLOMBIAN GUERRILLAS AND DRUG TRAFFICKERS. MR. FUJIMORI HAS MADE
IT CLEAR THAT HE OPPOSES NEGOTIATIONS WITH GUERRILLAS. HE SENT
TROOPS TO RAID THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE IN LIMA TWO
YEARS AGO TO FREE HOSTAGES HELD BY PERUVIAN GUERRILLAS. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/WDC/WFR
08-Feb-99 5:36 PM EST (2236 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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