DATE=4/19/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248327
TITLE=COLOMBIA REBELS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: COLOMBIA IS PREPARING TO RESUME PRELIMINARY PEACE TALKS
ON TUESDAY WITH THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST REBEL GROUP, THE
REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES, KNOWN AS FARC FROM ITS SPANISH
INITIALS. CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK IN OUR SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU
REPORTS THERE IS A CLIMATE OF INCREASED TENSION.
TEXT: FARC BROKE OFF PRELIMINARY TALKS WITH THE COLOMBIAN
GOVERNMENT THREE MONTHS AGO, ACCUSING IT OF FAILING TO CONTROL
RIGHTIST PARAMILITARY DEATH SQUADS THAT KILL PEASANTS ACCUSED OF
AIDING THE REBELS.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DISMISSED GENERALS WITH ALLEGED LINKS TO THE
DEATH SQUADS, AND HAS CAPTURED SCORES OF ALLEGED MEMBERS OF THE
GROUPS. HOWEVER, THE PARAMILITARY THREAT HAS NOT DIMINISHED.
THE DEATH SQUADS HAVE CIRCULATED THREATENING LEAFLETS AND PAINTED
SLOGANS IN TOWNS NEAR THE DEMILITARIZED AREA WHERE THE TALKS WITH
THE REBELS ARE TO TAKE PLACE. GOVERNMENT TROOPS HAVE
STRENGTHENED SECURITY ON THE ACCESS ROUTES.
THE TALKS WITH FARC ARE TO RESUME IN THE TOWN OF SAN VICENTE
DELCAGUAN, IN A COCA-GROWING AREA OF THE JUNGLE IN THE SOUTHERN
PART OF COLOMBIA.
PRESIDENT ANDRES PASTRANA SAYS THAT THE DEMILITARIZATION OF THE
AREA, WHICH IS SET TO EXPIRE ON MAY SEVENTH, WILL BE EXTENDED FOR
AN ADDITIONAL PERIOD IF FARC AGREES TO PARTICIPATE IN A
DEFINITIVE PEACE DIALOGUE.
GOVERNMENT PEACE NEGOTIATOR VICTOR RICARDO IS CONFIDENT THAT THE
TWO SIDES WILL AGREE ON AN AGENDA FOR FUTURE TALKS. HOWEVER, THE
REBELS HAVE NOT INDICATED WHETHER THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH THE
GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO CONTROL THE DEATH SQUADS. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/PHW/PT
19-Apr-99 5:30 PM EDT (2130 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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