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Colombia: Farc peace talks in Havana delayed | Colombia: Farc peace talks in Havana delayed |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Peace talks aimed at ending five decades of conflict in Colombia have been delayed until Monday. | Peace talks aimed at ending five decades of conflict in Colombia have been delayed until Monday. |
The discussions between Colombian government delegates and rebels from the left-wing Farc group had been due to start in Cuba on Thursday. | The discussions between Colombian government delegates and rebels from the left-wing Farc group had been due to start in Cuba on Thursday. |
Few details were given, but in a statement, both sides said they needed to work on "technical details to ensure the participation of civil society". | Few details were given, but in a statement, both sides said they needed to work on "technical details to ensure the participation of civil society". |
The meetings are the first direct Colombian peace talks in a decade. | The meetings are the first direct Colombian peace talks in a decade. |
Speaking during an unrelated official visit to Portugal, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos gave no further information on the reason for the delay, but said: "If there is goodwill, there are agreements. Without goodwill, there are no agreements." | |
The peace talks were officially launched at a ceremony in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, on 18 October, but actual negotiations will begin in Havana on Monday. | The peace talks were officially launched at a ceremony in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, on 18 October, but actual negotiations will begin in Havana on Monday. |
They will focus initially on the issue of land reform in Colombia, as it was a major reason for the uprising that brought about the establishment of the Farc [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia] in the early 1960s. | They will focus initially on the issue of land reform in Colombia, as it was a major reason for the uprising that brought about the establishment of the Farc [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia] in the early 1960s. |
Four other points will be discussed: the end of armed conflict; guarantees for the exercise of political opposition and citizen participation; drug trafficking; and the rights of the victims of the conflict. | Four other points will be discussed: the end of armed conflict; guarantees for the exercise of political opposition and citizen participation; drug trafficking; and the rights of the victims of the conflict. |
Colombia's chief negotiator, Humberto de la Calle, has described the talks "a very important historical moment". | Colombia's chief negotiator, Humberto de la Calle, has described the talks "a very important historical moment". |
In October, he said the final agreement would be "put to the public". | In October, he said the final agreement would be "put to the public". |
Farc delegation head Ivan Marquez has previously said they are participating in the talks "with an olive branch" but that peace did not mean "arms go quiet". | Farc delegation head Ivan Marquez has previously said they are participating in the talks "with an olive branch" but that peace did not mean "arms go quiet". |
The Farc have repeatedly called for a ceasefire, but the Colombian government has said that would only help the rebels rearm and gain strength. | The Farc have repeatedly called for a ceasefire, but the Colombian government has said that would only help the rebels rearm and gain strength. |
According to government estimates, 600,000 people have died since the conflict began in Colombia, with millions more displaced. | According to government estimates, 600,000 people have died since the conflict began in Colombia, with millions more displaced. |
The Farc, who numbered 16,000 in 2001, are now thought to have 8,000 fighters. | The Farc, who numbered 16,000 in 2001, are now thought to have 8,000 fighters. |
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