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Colombia Farc: Government negotiator warns over referendum Colombia Farc: Government negotiator warns over referendum
(about 5 hours later)
The man who led the Colombian government to a peace deal with the country's main leftist rebel group has warned that if the public vote against the deal, it could take 10 years before new negotiations are started.The man who led the Colombian government to a peace deal with the country's main leftist rebel group has warned that if the public vote against the deal, it could take 10 years before new negotiations are started.
Humberto de la Calle spent four years negotiating with the Farc in Havana.Humberto de la Calle spent four years negotiating with the Farc in Havana.
At the start of October, Colombians will be asked in a referendum whether they support the peace deal.At the start of October, Colombians will be asked in a referendum whether they support the peace deal.
Campaigners for a "no" vote believe the deal is too lenient on the Farc.Campaigners for a "no" vote believe the deal is too lenient on the Farc.
It includes the possibility of reduced sentences for those who confess early and ask for forgiveness, and amnesty for less serious crimes.It includes the possibility of reduced sentences for those who confess early and ask for forgiveness, and amnesty for less serious crimes.
But Mr de la Calle said that if the "no" vote won, the peace process would stop.But Mr de la Calle said that if the "no" vote won, the peace process would stop.
"The 'no' camp's idea of renegotiating seems like a massive mistake to me," he said."The 'no' camp's idea of renegotiating seems like a massive mistake to me," he said.
The Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) is one of the armed groups that was involved in more than 50 years of internal conflict in which an estimated 260,000 people died and millions had to leave their homes.The Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) is one of the armed groups that was involved in more than 50 years of internal conflict in which an estimated 260,000 people died and millions had to leave their homes.
It and the government are currently on ceasefire, following the signing of the historic peace accords.It and the government are currently on ceasefire, following the signing of the historic peace accords.
Mr de la Calle told the BBC that the peace referendum was similar to the "Brexit" referendum where the UK voted to leave the EU.Mr de la Calle told the BBC that the peace referendum was similar to the "Brexit" referendum where the UK voted to leave the EU.
He said: "The risk is that if people vote 'no', thinking this will bring about a renegotiation, it is certain that nothing will happen. "If 'no' wins, the process stops."He said: "The risk is that if people vote 'no', thinking this will bring about a renegotiation, it is certain that nothing will happen. "If 'no' wins, the process stops."
Historically, he said, any "rupture" between Farc and the government has been followed by a decade of no communication.Historically, he said, any "rupture" between Farc and the government has been followed by a decade of no communication.
"Ten years pass without any conversation," he said."Ten years pass without any conversation," he said.
The Farc will meet for a conference this weekend where they will decide whether to ratify the agreement for themselves. They are expected to vote it through.The Farc will meet for a conference this weekend where they will decide whether to ratify the agreement for themselves. They are expected to vote it through.
The BBC's reporter in Colombia, Natalio Cosoy, asked Mr de la Calle if he thought he individually might be friends with a member of the Farc a decade after the peace deal was implemented.The BBC's reporter in Colombia, Natalio Cosoy, asked Mr de la Calle if he thought he individually might be friends with a member of the Farc a decade after the peace deal was implemented.
"Not necessarily," came the reply."Not necessarily," came the reply.
"But I do think we will have a constant interaction."