Colombia Prefers To
Rebuild Ties With
Venezuela Than Negotiate
With FARC
The Colombian government
said on Wednesday that
it is more interested in
rebuilding ties with
Venezuela than again
negotiating with the
Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC)
rebels.
Colombian high
commissioner for peace
Luis Carlos Restrepo
said Colombian President
Alvaro Uribe prefers to
let the Catholic Church
and European envoys
facilitate dialogue with
the FARC.
"We prefer to be prudent
and the president
insists on including the
reconstruction of both
countries' relations in
the agenda," he said.
Restrepo made the
declaration as an
international
humanitarian commission
is expected to take care
of sick hostages held by
the FARC and to
negotiate with them on a
humanitarian accord.
Restrepo said Uribe
authorized a delegate
from Switzerland and
another from France, as
well as Catholic Church
representatives, to
advance actions on the
release of the hostages.
Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez carried out
successful negotiations
in 2007, leading to the
release of six hostages
in 2008.
Relations between
Colombia and Venezuela
suffered a new setback
due to Colombia's
military operation
against the FARC in
Ecuadorian territory
early last month.
Chavez said Colombia's
military action has
obstructed Venezuelan
mediation to free more
hostages.
The setback worsened
after Uribe's government
accused Chavez of being
in favor of the FARC.
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