Military

DATE=11/14/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-269234

TITLE=Colombia peace talks (L-only)

BYLINE=Rhoda Metcalfe

DATELINE=Bogota

INTERNET=

INTRO: In Colombia, the country's largest left-wing guerrilla group announced Tuesday a freeze on peace talks,in protest against recent meetings between Colombian government officials and members of a national right-wing paramilitary group. The announcement was doubly painful because Colombians had been hoping to hear good news out of the peace talks. Rhoda Metcalfe reports.

TEXT : The announcement by the guerrilla group,the FARC, to suspend peace negotiations came as a particular shock. Because this same day, government and rebel negotiators were scheduled to meet - after weeks of stalling - to discuss a possible ceasefire. Instead rebel spokeman Andre Paris read a communique from the guerrilla's top leadership, accusing the Colombian government of starting up unofficial talks with the right-wing paramilitaries - who are responsible for hundreds of civilian massacres - and are also the guerrilla's arch enemy.

Last week Colomban Vice-president Humberto de la Calle met with top paramilitary leader Carlos Castano in his jungle headquarters. The purpose of the visit was ostensibly to gain the release of seven members of congress who the paramilitaries allegedly kidnapped. But rebel leader Andre Paris argued the FARC believes the kidnapping was a setup.

///Paris act in Spanish///

Mr. Paris said sarcastically, those seven members of Congress took luggage, bathing suits, even bottles of whisky along. They kidnapped themselves. He argued the purpose was to give the government a pretext to begin unofficial negotiations with the paramilitaries, and eventual political recognition.

Vice-president de la Calle denied the charge.

/// De la Calle act in Spanish ///

He said there were no negotiations and no political recognition was offered.

Some congress members now argue this latest in a long string of setbacks in the peace process is a sign the guerrillas have no real interest in talks. But the paramilitary question is a thorny one for the government.

Many analysts believe the government will have to include them in some form of peace talks. But it is very controversial, due to the paramilitaries' continuing use of gruesome killings to uproot civilian support for the rebels. Government leaders say they'll meet Wednesday to decide their next move. (Signed)

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