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Colombian church, congress
support humanitarian exchange
with FARC
The Catholic Church and the Colombian Congress
termed as positive the proposal
of President Alvaro Uribe to
negotiate the liberation of
individuals kept as hostages by
the FARC, as part of a
humanitarian exchange, local
press reported Friday.
Uribe proposed to the Revolutionary Armed Forces
of Colombia (FARC) to negotiate the humanitarian agreement in the
Apostolic nuncio's premises, or in an embassy in Bogota, in five
days, government sources said.
The government offers all security conditions for the rebel leaders
participating in the negotiation and movement of guerrillas to
Bogota. Their return will be handled by the International Committee
of the Red Cross.
The Vice President of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, Luis
Castro, said that the government initiative is very positive and
asked the FARC to consider it in a constructive fashion.
On the other hand, congressman Jose Renan told the press he was
pleased with the government initiative, which brings new light to
the issue of the humanitarian exchange.
The humanitarian agreement would allow the liberation of 22
politicians, 37 troops and three US citizens, some of them in the
hands of the guerrillas for the last six years.
The FARC is the largest and oldest guerrilla organization in
Colombia and counts with at least 17,000 men operating in over a
hundred fronts in different regions of the country.
Colombia has been plagued by a four-decade civil war, in which
leftist rebels, far-right paramilitaries and government troops fight
each other, killing about 3,500 people every year.
South American countries to establish oil organization
The Latin American energy ministerial conference at Margarita Island
concluded Friday with a statement on the establishment of an oil
organization in South Africa.
The statement highlighted the importance of safeguarding regional
integrity and promoting energy cooperation, which will contribute to
speeding up economic development and eliminating poverty among South
American countries.
The statement also stressed the necessity of properly using both
renewable and nonrenewable resources and narrowing the economic and
social gaps between countries in the region.
Meanwhile, Venezuela and Brazil signed an agreement on energy
cooperation during the meeting.
Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel presided over the
closing ceremony.
Japan studying text for extradition of Fujimori, ambassador
Japan received the second part of the dossier presented by the
Peruvian justice requesting the extradition of former president
Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) and is carefully studying it, Japanese
ambassador Yubun Narita said here Friday.
"In the right moment the government of my country will issue a
reply," added the Japanese diplomat in a radio interview.
Peru requested the extradition of Fujimori for the crimes of
embezzlement and ideological falsehood against the State, for his
presumed delivery of an indemnification of 15 million US dollars to
his former presidential adviser and chief of the intelligence
services, Valdimiro Montesinos, during his tenure.
Fujimori, who ruled Peru between 1990 and 2000, is now living in
Japan. In July 2003 the Peruvian government handed over to Japan the
first extradition petition against Fujimori on charges of human
rights abuses that involved 25 lives, including a minor.
Japan has refused to extradite Fujimori, who holds dual
Peruvian-Japanese citizenship.
Uruguay's leftist presidential candidate favors one-China policy
Uruguayan presidential candidate Tabare Vazquez reaffirmed his
support for a one-China policy on Friday.
The left-wing candidate is tipped to win an outright victory in
Sunday's election. Four of the five opinion polls released Thursday
predicted that Vazquez would garner more than 50 percent of the vote
in the first round.
Vazquez, in a third bid for presidency, told Xinhua that he was able
to know more about China in a visit to the Asian country three years
ago. He said he admired the Chinese people and their economic
achievements.
Socialist candidate Reinaldo Gargano also said he was opposed to
Taiwan's entry into any international organization which requires
statehood.
Taiwan split with the Chinese mainland in 1949 during a civil war. A
vast majority of countries across the world are following a
one-China policy, which recognizes Taiwan as part of China
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