Colombian government and rebel group to start peace talks
(Vatican Radio) Peace talks between the Colombian Government and the country's largest
guerrilla army are set to commence in Norway.
The discussions were due to start
on October 8th in Oslo, but now the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
says there will be a news conference nine days later. Talks are expected to start
prior to that.
The Colombian Government is not contemplating a ceasefire or
granting a save haven like it did ten years ago, when the FARC used this as a time
to rest, regroup and reinforce itself.
The conflict, which has been raging
since 1964, has cost tens of thousands of lives, causing widespread instability throughout
Colombia. President Juan Manuel Santos, who is recovering from prostrate cancer surgery,
has stressed there can be no settlement until the FARC renounces violence and lays
down its weapons. The president is also saying he is cautiously optimistic about the
much hoped for goal of peace.
The second round of talks will move to Cuba,
but much depends on how the initial phase progresses in Norway.
Listen
to the full report by Vatican Radio’s regional correspondent James Blears: