Mediators urge de-escalation of conflict between Colombia and Farc rebels

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/07/colombia-farc-rebels-conflict-peace-talks

Version 0 of 1.

The four countries supporting peace talks between the Colombian government and Farc rebels have called for an “urgent de-escalation” of armed conflict in the South American country.

“We urge the parties to strictly restrict any actions that cause victims or suffering in Colombia, and to step up the implementation of confidence-building measures,” said the statement by Norway, Cuba, Chile and Venezuela. “We consider these steps essential.”

The appeal comes after armed clashes resumed in mid-April, following an ambush by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) that left 11 soldiers dead.

The Colombian government’s top negotiator has threatened to walk away from peace talks and has rejected rebel calls for a bilateral ceasefire, on the grounds that Farc has previously used such truces to rearm.

Latin America’s longest war has killed 220,000 people and displaced as many as six million since 1964. The Havana talks have produced the most progress to date toward ending the conflict.

In March, Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos agreed to halt aerial bombing in recognition of a unilateral ceasefire called by the Farc at Christmas time.

But headway toward peace suddenly came to a halt in April when violence broke out anew. Santos ordered a resumption of air assaults in response to a rebel attack that killed 10 soldiers.

Since then both sides have carried out more attacks: about 30 rebels have been killed in army operations, and the Farc have formally renewed offensive operations and sabotage attacks on roads, pipelines and utilities.

The chief rebel negotiator, Iván Márquez, attempted to downplay the remarks over the weekend by the lead government negotiator, Humberto de la Calle, who said peace talks had hit a low point and noted they were unpopular with sceptical Colombians.

Public support is important since the voters would have to ratify the text of any final agreement.

“We don’t have to give any space to ominous voices about the failure of the talks, nor to over-the-top statements from those who have in their hands the sacred responsibility to build peace,” Márquez said.

However, Márquez himself warned on 23 June that escalating violence could damage the talks.

Since starting talks in November 2012, government and rebel negotiators have reached partial accords on three of five agenda points: land reform, the political future of the Farc and an end to the illegal drug trade. Still under discussion are victim reparations and the Farc’s demobilization.