From: rexy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2002 19:42:49 -0400 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: PRESS COMMUNIQUE PRESS COMMUNIQUE 1. The FARC-EP value highly the concern expressed by the international community with respect to the future of the dialogues, and very specially the effort realized in the name of the Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan, by his Special Advisor, James Lemoyne. 2. We consider today’s schedule of work as valuable and constructive. By common agreement we have decided to extend the meeting to tomorrow in the certainty of finding formulas that will enable us to overcome the difficult moment through which the peace process is passing. 3. The FARC-EP reiterate to the country and the world their decision and commitment to continue pursuing solutions through the Table, for the grave political, economic and social problems that keep Colombians in confrontation. Raul Reyes Joaquin Gomez Carlos Antonio Lozada Simon Trinidad Andres Paris Los Pozos, San Vicente del Caguan, January 11, 2002 --------------------- PRESS COMMUNIQUE The spokespersons of the FARC-EP at the National Table of Dialogue and Negotiation inform the national and international public: 1. During January 11 and 12 we have worked without interruption with the Special Advisor of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Mr. James Lemoyne, who acted as facilitator. 2. Throughout these days of work, and with the valuable collaboration of Facilitator Lemoyne who maintained permanent contact with President Andres Pastrana Arango, we elaborated step by step a draft document that attempts to bring together the positions of the Government and the FARC-EP in order to overcome the paralysis of the Process of Dialogue and Negotiation. 3. We attach the text of the draft to the present communiqué, in order to make it known to the country and the world and we report that we have yet to receive a definitive answer from the National Government. 4. In accord with the above, we are awaiting the presidential decision with respect to the future of the Process of Dialogue and Negotiation. 5. We reaffirm the unwavering will of the FARC-EP to continue in the pursuit of paths that would bring us to reconciliation and peace with social justice for Colombians. Raúl Reyes Joaquín Gómez Carlos Antonio Lozada Simón Trinidad Andrés París Los Pozos, San Vicente del Caguán, January 12, 2002 DRAFT 5 1. The parties reaffirm their will for peace and to actively seek a negotiated solution to the Colombian conflict. As an expression of this, they reaffirm their will to begin immediately to negotiate signed agreements on themes that will improve the living conditions of the Colombian people. 2. Therefore, the parties confirm their irrevocable commitment to put the San Francisco de la Sombra Accord into practice, defining topics with a schedule for negotiation, and accept to pursue a first agreement around the proposal to provide a subsidy to the unemployed of the country. 3. The parties take note of the fact that the San Francisco Accord affirms the need for a favorable environment for the peace process, without armed confrontations by either side and that it is essential to obtain agreements that lead to a de-escalation of the conflict. As mentioned in this agreement, the FARC-EP is committed immediately to instruct all its members not to carry out “miraculous catches” (“pescas milagrosas”) in the roads. 4. Recognizing their commitment under the San Francisco Accord, the parties will begin immediately to study the document of the Commission of Personalities, containing topics such as the truce with a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, kidnappings, and actions to bring an end the phenomenon of paramilitarism. 5. As declared in the San Francisco Accord, the Government reiterates in an emphatic and categorical manner its rejection of all forms of kidnapping, whether of parliamentarians, public servants or any other person and the Government will put this forward during the study of the truce with a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, 6. To strengthen their efforts for peace, and as an additional expression of their will to find a negotiated solution, the parties have agreed to invite Monsignor Alberto Giraldo, President of the Episcopal Conference, to be a Witness of Honor in all the sessions of the Negotiating Table. 7. The President reiterates that the policy of peace is a State policy and, with the support of the international community, he will put every effort into continuing the peace process. With the aim of strengthening this effort, the Government declares its will to broaden the Negotiating Table to include representatives of important sectors of the country. 8. The President and the State guarantee that the guarantees for dialogue between the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) in the demilitarized zone are given. Likewise, they declare the FARC to be valid political spokespersons for the peace process. This is the reason for having been involved in negotiating and the reason for negotiations to continue. The ten Facilitating Countries for the process and the United Nations will support this declaration. 9. The parties reaffirm that the only purpose for the Demilitarized Zone is to advance the dialogue and negotiation. To respond to any incident inside the zone which could hurt the process or affect the guarantees for the zone, the Commission created by the Los Pozos Accord and composed of Luis Fernando Criales for the Government side and Commandant Simon Trinidad for the FARC-EP, will begin functioning actively. 10. The Commission mentioned in point 9 will be attended by five sub-commissions in each municipality of the zone, made up as soon as possible and by common agreement of the parties, of representative personalities from key sectors of these communities. The sub-commissions will report on any incidents that violate the norms of the zone to the Commission mentioned in point 9. 11. For the purpose of clarifying and resolving accusations by communities situated on the borders of the zone about threats and abusive monetary charges at checkpoints on the roads, a Commission whose members could either be national or international, will be formed by common agreement of the parties to receive these complaints, study the facts and report them to the Negotiating Table. 12. If the parties consider that obstacles have existed to moving the process forward, they can send these cases to the Commission created by the Los Pozos Accord. This Commission already has as its members Monsignor Alberto Giraldo and Commandant Andres Paris. The parties can request of this Commission to study those cases where the holding of gatherings between national or international citizens and any of the parties in support of the peace efforts have been impeded. 13. In recognition of the important role of the international community in support of the peace process, the FARC-EP invites the 10 Facilitating Countries for the process to a meeting in the coming week to discuss topics of importance and to strengthen the search for peace. 14. To avoid future crises in the process, the parties commit to take any obstacle to the dialogue or failure to comply with this Accord to the Commission referred to in point 12 above. The parties commit today to negotiate to reach signed agreements in the shortest time possible. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army International Commission, FARC-EP. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________
