DATE=4/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COLOMBIA-PEACE TALKS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261727
BYLINE=RHODA METCALFE
DATELINE=BOGOTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Colombia, the government has agreed to
demilitarize a second region of the country to help
begin peace talks with the nation's second major rebel
group, known as the National Liberation Army -- or E-
L-N-. Rhoda Metcalfe reports that this time, the
government is putting stricter controls on the
agreement to ensure the rebels do not abuse their
power.
TEXT: The Colombian government makes it very clear
that It will not make the same mistakes with the E-L-N
that it has made with the country's largest guerrilla
group -- the FARC. This time, says President Andres
Pastrana, the negotiations and the demilitarization
will have clear time limits and restrictions.
/// Pastrana act in Spanish fade under ///
The president explained to military officers in Bogota
Tuesday that three municipalities in northern Colombia
will be demilitarized for nine months to allow talks
to begin with the E-L-N.
The guerrilla group has reportedly agreed to an
international monitoring team and has agreed to
respect international humanitarian law within the
zone, something the FARC has repeatedly refused to do.
But then the E-L-N is a much weaker position. With
around five-thousand fighters, it is less than half
the size of the FARC and has recently suffered many
military losses at the hands of right-wing
paramilitary groups.
The announcement of the upcoming demilitarization
caused protests by residents living within the region.
/// SOUND -- man speaking ///
On Tuesday close to 100 residents occupied regional
headquarters in the city of Cartagena. Speaking to
local media, protester Pedro Nahum said it is not
right. The government should not have to give up
another piece of the country just to start up peace
talks.
The latest proposed demilitarization will likely turn
out quite differently than the one carried out last
year for the FARC. The FARC already held power in
most of their zone before the army pulled out.
However this second demilitarized zone is still in hot
contention. The region was once an E-L-N stronghold.
But paramilitary groups began a campaign of terror
last year. Moving systematically from town to town,
the right-wing squads -- who are suspected by many of
having links to the army -- committed one massacre
after the other, driving much of the population and
most of the E-L-N's supporters out of the region.
The guerrilla group wants the territory back. But the
areas are now populated by farmers with a different
political leaning and they fear retribution at the
hands of the rebels.
Despite its military weakness, the E-L-N is costing
the country millions of dollars each year by blowing
up oil pipelines and, more recently, dozens of
electricity towers. The sabotage left Bogota without
power for almost a full day last month.
The Colombian government is clearly hoping it can
persuade the E-L-N in the upcoming negotiations to
stop the sabotage, as a first step in the peace
process. (Signed)
NEB/PT/JP
25-Apr-2000 23:26 PM EDT (26-Apr-2000 0326 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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