Colombian peace talks in Norway
October 18, 2012
The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) held their first direct talks in 10 years on Thursday in a hotel in Hurdal, a small town north of Norway's capital, Oslo.
Heading the government delegation was Humberto de la Calle. He was joined by Ivan Marquez, head of the rebel contingent and a member of FARC's seven-member ruling secretariat. Both sides appeared on the same podium as talks opened, but did not shake hands.
"We've come to look for peace with social justice in Colombia," Marquez said. "We come with an olive branch in our hands."
De la Calle meanwhile expressed "moderate optimism" about reaching a peace deal after three earlier failed attempts.
"We hope that there will be good results for the Colombian people," he said. "This is a moment of hope."
The talks are to continue with in-depth negotiations in Cuba's capital, Havana, starting on November 15. They will follow preparatory meetings on November 5.
They are expected to cover the laying down of arms, rural development, land distribution, narcotics trafficking, victims' rights and various guarantees for the opposition.
The guerrillas formed in 1964 to demand what they viewed as a just distribution of land. Initially, a number of Colombians supported the guerrilla fighters' demands. However, as the war has dragged on, the death toll in connection with the conflict has risen to about 600,000 and there is growing support for an end to the fighting.
ccp/mkg (AFP, dpa, Reuters)