2000
January
9: ELN accused Farc-Ep of killing some of its commanders. Guerrillas are
fighting for territorial control in Arauca, Magdalena, Cesar and Antioquia. The ELN is asking US$ 35 millions to release the remaining 15 Avianca
hostages. The families are heading for the South Bolivar to pressure the
government to find a solution and prevent negotiations from starting before all hostages are
release without payment.
January
10: End of truce and a continuation of the war. Strong confrontation in the
Route to Los Llanos over the weekend paralleled to the peace meetings. The
military commanders upset about the lack of Farc commitment with the peace
process. 200 displaced persons took the CICR headquarters in Bogotá, that led
to CICR suspenssion of its
activities in Colombia. South Bolivar "coexistence zone" for the ELN
on debate. There is a strong opposition from the inhabitants, the Bolivar
governor, Miguel Raad and the Department´s municipalities´ mayors. Pastrana indicated that the military-free zone in South Bolivar is
pure speculation.
January
14-17: Peace talks to resume. Farc interested first in discussing ways to solve
different social issues such as unemployment, economic model and agrarian
reform. The government was willing to discuss first human rights and
international humanitarian law. On social issues Farc would prefer to begin with
unemployment and the government with agrarian policy. Notipaz
will start transmitting news coordinated by the government and Farc.
January
15: Marulanda made a surprise appearance at the negotiations in Los Pozos, San
Vicente del Caguán, and showed optimism about the process. US Secretary of
State, Madeleine Albright visited the country and offered an unprecedented
military aid package to Colombia - US$ 1.574 millions. Colombia received also
Lloyd Axworthy, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Colombia ratified and
signed the Ottawa Convention - Anti-personnel Mines Prohibition- (March 11,
1999, 139 countries (91 ratifications)). The guerrilla groups commitment to
restrain from using the mines was demanded by the Minister at a joint press
briefing with the Colombian Minister, Guillermo Fernández de Soto.
The Colombian government is committed to destroy the mines under its control in
four years.
January 19: Pastrana met with US GOP Representatives Cass Ballenger and Mark Souder and US Democrat Representatives William Delahunt and Sam Farr for informal discussion about the "Plan Colombia" aid package. Pastrana´s visit to Washington in the coming days.
January 20: Minhacienda Juan Camilo Restrepo meeting with Farc at Villa Nueva Colombia in Los Pozos, to discuss the government vision on unemployment and other economic issues.
January 25: Pastrana´s visit to Washington includes a meeting with Congress representatives and senators on "Plan Colombia" financing and also a meeting with President Clinton to set a strategy to convince Congress on this financing.
January
28: National Planning
Director, Mauricio Cárdenas, is expected to meet with Farc to discuss the
social and economic situation of the country.
January
30: Since Jan. 28, Farc and government delegates have been discussing in Villa
Nueva Colombia, Los Pozos, San Vicente del Caguán. Procedural agreement seems
to have taken place. Three main agenda blocks have been identified. 1. Social
and Economic Model - includes comprehensive agrarian policy, natural resources
exploration and exploitation, income distribution. 2. Human Rights and
International Humanitarian Law and International Relations. 3. Political and
State Reforms.
January
31: the private sector is positive about the first point of the agenda since it
shows Farc evolution in the understanding of economic matters and especially the
economic model. Neither "cold-hearted" capitalism nor socialism is the
answer anymore. Farc and government will discuss several issues concerning
social and economic matters, including foreign investment and international
commerce in the context of an external reality: the world as it is and
globalization. This is a positive development, since Farc is moving away from
radical positions. Again the main issues: Economic model: income
distribution, internal and external markets, national industry incentives,
cooperative economy, foreign investment in accordance with the country’s
needs, civil society participation in economic planning through a National
Planning Council involving all relevant sectors, social investment in health,
education and research. Agrarian Policy: credit democratization,
technical assistance and marketing, land redistribution of unexplored land and
abandoned farms that belonged to the drug lords or illegally own properties,
production incentives in taxes, technical assistance and non-traditional exports
policy, territorial bureaucratic decentralization, alternate crops policy. Natural
resources: exploitation and distribution, international agreements and
treaties, sustainable development (environment protection and economic
development.
Concerning
the ELN, the government (Victor G. Ricardo) and the ELN spokesperson are trying
to reach a deal about the demilitarization in South Bolivar (ELN wishes) to
start the peace process. There is no consensus about this new Demilitarized
Zone, given the lack of governmental control in the Farc demilitarized zone and
considering that ELN hold hostage several civilians and is demanding more than
35 million dollars to release them. The ELN announced that it will not talk
about peace unless the government agrees to demilitarized the south of Bolivar.
February
3: Tuesday (Feb.1) a governmental and Farc delegation traveled to Europe to meet
Nordic delegations (in Stockholm and Oslo) concerning other nations peace
experiences and the Nordic social and economic models. Meetings with private
sector CEOs and the Union leaders are expected. Farc-members traveling are: Raúl
Reyes (Edgar Devia), Fabián Ramírez (José Benito Cabrera), Simón Trinidad
(Ricardo Palmera), Felipe Rincón (Alvaro Cerpa), Iván Rios (Manuel Muñoz) y
Joaquín Gómez (Milton de Jesús Toncel) *real
names in ()
February
8: The meetings in Scandinavia were educating. The
delegation continued its journey through Spain, France, Italy and
Switzerland. They were back in Colombia at the end of February. There were
various views about Pastrana´s initiative (taking the guerrilla members to
Europe). On one side, those who considered it a total success remembering that one
year ago, Farc insisted on keeping the process strictly national. The exchange
of views with Europeans was the first sign of clear internationalization of the
conflict. Former FMLN - guerrilla leader, Joaquín Villalobos (currently
researcher at Oxford), when asked about this happening, expressed optimism with
the Colombian process, since being abroad with "the enemy is a way to get
to know him better and realize at the end of the day that we are all the
same". Let’s hope that he is right this time. Success also because
Pastrana could motivate European countries to join with Spain the donors group
(mesa de donantes) for the "Plan Colombia". Spain (José María Aznar)
is the coordinator. Sweden was already inclined to participate and contribute
this mechanism. On the other side, more critic towards this process, saw this
trip as a way for Farc to renew its image, making the world forget their
constant atrocities in this war: kidnapping, teenagers in the war, lack of
respect for the civil society and its inclusion into the war, etc. Concerning,
Jan Egeland, key player in this trip, acting as the UNSG Special Envoy to
Colombia, mandated with peace-building, human rights, drugs elimination
supervision and not to go around the world raising money for the Plan Colombia.
This last version has been "sold" to the Colombian public to back up
Pastrana´s request to Kofi Annan.
February 15: The European tour continued. After Sweden, Farc and government representatives headed to Norway, where they got information on how to humanize the conflict and exclude civilians from it. Next stop was Italy, where they met with Members of Parliament. They also had a meeting with Monseñor Castrillón (Pope´s special representative for family issues and Colombian national) at the Vatican. There is an interest to involve the Vatican in the talks (may be remembering the Pope´s Beagle Canal mediation) The internal war continued. No advances with the ELN so far, since the movement insisted on a demilitarized zone in South Bolivar and the region’s population is strongly against. The blocking of major communication roads will stop, so Commander Gabino (feb.14) announced it but if the government did not comply, more attacks would follow. Despite the Interior Minister declarations, the ELN central command (COCE) had no divisions, in Pablo Beltrán words from Caracas. On Dec.22, 99, Victor G. Ricardo together with Julio Londoño Paredes, Colombian Ambassador to Cuba, met in Cuba with the ELN. In accordance with Beltrán, advances were made concerning the demilitarized zone to facilitate the national convention. Jaime Bernal Cuéllar (General Prosecutor) proposed to designate another peace negotiator to deal with the ELN, different from Victor G. Ricardo and different also from Néstor Humberto Martínez, Interior Minister. Venezuela has offered its mediation in the negotiations with the ELN. According to Alejo Vargas, facilitating commission member, Venezuela’s participation could allow the process to move forward again.
February 17: The European tour continued. The last two days in Italy have been productive in meetings with government and parliament representatives. However, cooperation and aid has been offered only if the peace process is successful. Concerning the ELN, the informal contacts continued between the government and ELN chiefs Francisco Galán and Felipe Tórres (in the Itagüí prison) to stop the terrorist attacks against the energy towers in Antioquia. Also, the Ambassador in Cuba, Julio Londoño, has continued his good offices in Caracas with Pablo Beltrán and elsewhere to reach an agreement with this group on the demilitarized zone. The South Bolivar peasants were still against the idea of giving out this territory. Julio Londoño could be the key government negotiator with the ELN. Julio Londoño, Colombian Ambassador to Cuba, was President Barco´s (1986-90) Minister of Foreign Affairs, then Ambassador to the OAS and afterwards Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He has also experience in the Contadora negotiations in Nicaragua and El Salvador. His assets: hard worker and a man of discipline.
February
18: The government and the south Bolivar, south Cesar, middle Magdalena and
northwest Santander, south Cauca, northeast Antioquia peasants reached agreement
called of "Aguas Claras": cease of the route boycott and participation
in the decision to establish a "coexistence zone or demilitarized
zone" to the ELN. Concerning this issue, the idea of establishing a
"coexistence zone" involving government and ELN joint control with
international verification and population active involvement gained more
possibilities. On Tuesday, feb.22, the peasants will get to discuss directly
with the ELN the inconveniences of having a demilitarized zone in the South
Bolivar.
February
21: Contrary to what Victor G. Ricardo affirmed, there is no confidence between
the entire government and the nation with Farc, with the Secretariat members and
the entire organization. Many analysts insisted that if there was confidence was
only at the personal level and not at the national level. The government has some differences in appreciation and still
the military commanders are not convinced with Victor G. Ricardo declarations.
Julio Londoño, on
the other hand, could have more chances to succeed, since he was a retired
military and a career diplomat. However, it is too soon to advance any words of
glory since the process has not started. Only informal meetings between the ELN
and Londoño had taken place, basically to set out the differences concerning
the "coexistence" zone in the South Bolivar.
February 22: The Colombian delegation in Europe continued its journey in Spain and France. It has met with government (national and local levels) and congress officials, trade unions (UGT -Unión General de Trabajadores- and CC.OO -Comisiones Obreras) and business community organizations such as the Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales. One purpose in Spain was to understand how the autonomous regions worked in practice. In Benidorm (same place where the National Front Agreement between the Liberal (Alberto Lleras) and Conservative (Laureano Gómez) Parties to end the civil war of July 24, 1956 took place), Reyes reiterated Farc´s opposition to any kind of US intervention in the peace process. Concerning the ELN, despite its promises of stopping all terrorist attacks against the energy towers, these attacks continued in Santander. On other fronts, US government officials were striving to get the "Plan Colombia" aid package passed by the US Congress. There has been criticism around the issue of military and paramilitary links.
February
23: the delegation was welcomed in Paris by Laurent Fabius, Legislative Assembly
President: "Welcome to the land of democracy". Meetings about French
administrative organization were held. Meetings with deputies and with the
Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Loik Hennekine were also
held. The Colombian delegation, among other issues, explained the Plan
Colombia to allow and promote European participation in financing peace-building
efforts.
February 25: The European tour concluded. After visits to Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, The Holy See, Spain and France the delegates returned to their own regions and they had a time for "digesting" what they learned in Europe. Concerning the ELN National Convention coexistence zone requirement, the South of Bolivar population were still against giving out their own land to allow the guerrilla to "govern". Nothing came out from the 11 working groups set out by the government with the population to create the right atmosphere for the "coexistence zone". The population did not accept the government trade-off of starting development projects, if they accepted a "ELN government", since it was the government’s obligation to provide for development.
March
1-6: Farc-Gov.- talks resumed after the european tour on economic issues
such as economic model and social economic reforms. American On Line CEO, Jim
Kimsey visited Marulanda. ELN National Convention still without agreement.
Carlos Castaño (AUC) during his first interview "face to face"
with Colombia, given to Dario Arizmendi (Caracol TV Chain), March 1, suggested
that municipalities in Córdoba could be set out to "embrace" a
demobilize ELN guerrilla, provided that all its forces (aprox. 1200 men) remained in
the established zone. So far the generalized war continued.
March
6-12: Negotiations concerning economic issues have continued. Unemployment is
the topic of the moment. April 9 was established for the first public hearing to
civil society participation and opinions to the main negotiating table. On the
ELN subject, contacts and informal talks between Julio Londoño and Pablo Beltrán
(third in command) either in Cuba or in Venezuela. Plan Colombia passed at the
House of Representatives Appropriations Committee.
March 12-20: March 17: 14 "Cacaos", coloquial name for the business community leaders met with Tirofijo in San Vicente del Caguán. Tirofijo seemed to be great admirer of Don Hernán Echavarria, one of the leaders. The meeting was attended by: Nicanor Restrepo, Sindicato Antioqueño; Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo, Grupo Aval; Hernán Echavarria, Organización Corona; Andrés Obregón, Grupo Bavaria; Edmundo Esquenazi, Grupo Sanford; Jairo Gómez, Postobón; Henri Eder Zambrano, Ingenio Manuelita; Juan Sebastián Betancur, Grupo Suramericana; Manuel José Carvajal, Carvajal y Cia; Ramón de la Torre, Sector Petrolero; Julio Manuel Ayerbe, Corona; José Alejandro Cortés, Seguros Bolívar; Eduardo Pacheco, Colpatria. The "Cacaos" presented to Tirofijo, the Fundación Ideas para la Paz directed by Rodrigo Gutiérrez, created by them in February 2000, and explained to him that this Foundation was at his service to receive information of other peace negotiations as well as information about the Colombian process. This meeting was held in the context of the discussions about the economic model. The message was clear: no security no national or foreign investors.
March
18: former president Belisario
Betancur (conservative) met with Tirofijo to exchange views about the
process.
March
19: Concerning the ELN National Convention, the AUC offered to move away from
some municipalities in South Bolivar (for those who know Colombia they are:
Tiquisio, El Sudán, Puerto Rico, Pueblo Nuevo and Ventura) to allow the
Convention to take place. The ELN did not respond to this offer.
The ELN was asking for Cantagallo, San Pablo, Santa Rosa and Simití also in
South Bolivar.
March
21: The country was close to total paralysis due to the ELN attacks to power
generating units, that kept the nation without electricity for 5 hours. The ELN
is not willing to consider any AUC proposal, only the governmental proposals
concerning the "military free zone" to facilitate the National
Convention.
March
21-April 3: AUC announced its willingness to leave Tiquisio (South Bolivar) to
facilitate the ELN "coexistence-zone" to be set out in this area. The
ELN Gabino announced to be willing to accept a coexistence zone in South Bolivar
that would allow military presence, civil national and local authorities and
international verification. The government has not answered yet. However, at the
same time, the ELN implemented the so-called "paro armado" armed
strike in some areas of the Magdalena Medio, which meant more violence, and also
kidnapped several people around the country.
April
3: Farc-Ep and government delegates announced the increase with 4 new seats
each, both the Negotiation table and the Thematic Committee. 2 new delegates
from each negotiating party in both scenarios. Most probably following Pastrana´s
agreement to allow participation of other political forces into the peace
process. The names of the new delegates were not known. Pastrana, considering
several outrageous corruption scandals discovered in Congress (both Chambers)
proposed a referendum to make a political reform, which is one of the
agenda points with Farc-Ep.
April
9: First audiences in which Colombians could express their views about the peace
process in the issue of employment. There is lack of consensus on unemployment
causes and solutions. Simultaneously, the government organized a referendum
to elect a new Congress in the context of great corruption scandals disclosed
during this week. While the audiences continued, the war continued as well, both
from the Farc and the ELN.
April
13-19: The ELN has finally liberated more Fokker hostages, kidnapped a year ago.
Around 9 were still retained. The AUC abandoned some regions in the South of
Bolivar to facilitate the liberation. At the same time, the ELN continued its
destruction of power-generating towers in Antioquia and Valle (two main Regional
Provinces)
April
14: Farc-Ep agreed to discuss a cease-fire while the peace negotiations
continued. The issue could be discussed at the negotiation table. Farc proposal
dealt with, as presented by Raúl Reyes:
·
A
multilateral cease-fire, would include Farc and all State forces - Police, Army,
DAS (Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad- Security Administrative
Authority). Reyes did not mention the AUC, since in their view they are closely
linked to the State. The ELN was not mentioned, since this group was
negotiating a "demilitarized zone" to move on with the National
Convention.
·
Verified
by a commission integrated by Farc and government representatives, that would deal with cease-fire violations
·
Definite
period extended by the negotiation table, similar to the "demilitarized zone" procedure
·
No
attacks against civilians and economic structures, no kidnapping, no
"pescas milagrosas"(massive kidnapping in the roads), no military offensive operations, no market and
citizens controls over the population that live under Farc control and
authority.
The
cease-fire has left bitter experiences in the past. During Betancur
administration, the Uribe Accords of 1984 produced a cease-fire that lasted one
year. Although, it produced nearly no violent deaths in the country it allowed
Farc to reproduce all over the territory. So after a year of cease-fire, Farc
entered the scene with more forces and definitely stronger. Farc also designated
Andrés Paris, Simón Trinidad and Carlos Antonio Lozada as negotiators to work
with the Farc delegation to the talks.
April
15: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presented a very negative report
on Colombia to the Geneva UNHR Commission. The bias of the report is due to its
lack of inclusion of International Humanitarian Law violations. The report was not developed in the context of the Colombian war, so actors such
as the guerrilla movements are not being accountable for their participation in
the violation of human rights.
April
22: Government representative, Julio Londoño Paredes, Colombian ambassador to
Cuba met with ELN commander Gabino in South Bolivar to continue talks about the
National Convention. Jaime Bernal Cuéllar, General Prosecutor, was also present
in the meetings. The idea is to promote a demilitarized zone in three
South Bolivar municipalities to allow the Convention to take palce and the peace
process with this guerrilla organization to start. More than 300 delegates could
conform this National Convention. The Convention that was expected to last about 9 months
or more was just an exchange of views between the guerrilla and the civil
society. The Convention did not mean a negotiation process with the government. According to the
main promoters of this initiative, both the General Prosecutor and the leader of the
Business Community, Sabas Pretel, the peace negotiations with the government
could start simultaneously with the National Convention. These promoters
considered that there should be a cease-fire, a release of all hostages- kidnapped
civilians and military and police personnel and, the population in the region
should be heard and deserve explanation of what was going on.
April
24: Cantagallo, San Pablo in South Bolivar and Yondó in North Antioquia could
be given to the ELN for the National Convention. The population in these
municipalities had been protesting against this decision, although it is not final
yet. The population did not want to get involved in the conflict and especially
the people did not want to share their region with the actors in conflict. They
wanted to be left aside. These villagers were afraid of their own security and
were
suspicious about the guerrilla ways of doing business.
April 26: Victor G. Ricardo resigned. The new High Commissioner for Peace is former
Pastrana´s private secretary, Camilo Alberto Gómez. New government negotiators
were added to the list. The new ones were: Monseñor Alberto Giraldo, President of the
Episcopal Conference and Archbishop of Medellín; Alfonso López Caballero from
the Liberal Party; and Luis Guillermo Giraldo, former Ambassador to Venezuela.
April 27: date of cease-fire talks with Farc-Ep to start at the negotiation table. The new round started with new negotiators, although Victor G. and the others were present to assure continuity and a follow-up. Jan Egeland, the UNSG Special- Envoy visited El Caguán. Simultaneously, Farc-Ep launched its "Movimiento Bolivariano" the new political party with Alfonso Cano one of Farc´s thinktanks as its leader. The Movimiento Bolivariano was born with threats from el Mono Jojoy against the Colombian society, declaring enemies all those that were against the "revolution" and announcing more taxes to the "rich" who must finance the war, with the so-called Law 002.
April 28: Rage and deception continued in the matter of the demilitarized zone to the ELN in the South Bolivar. It is not only one of the main oil-producing regions in Colombia but also a gold-producing one. This DMZ not only controls the Magdalena River, communicates nearly the entire country since it crosses Colombia (South to North) but also has the possibility of controlling Barranca. Ecopetrol (Colombia Oil Company) main center is in Barranca, because of the oil in this whole region. Moreover, the population is still against the DMZ. The South Bolivar produces 40% of Colombia’s oil.
April 29-May 13: The peace negotiations are at a stalemate with the change of Peace Commissioner and government negotiators.
May
11: the new Peace Commissioner,
Camilo Gómez took office as Peace Commissioner. These weeks have been rather intense in the
search for consensus to make a referendum in October and change the political
institutions. Pastrana´s idea to pass the referendum without amendments was not
possible in the Congress, since other political forces (including the Liberal
Party) demanded participation. A Ministerial "crisis" happened as a
result, with the Interior Minister resignation and Pastrana´s conciliation with
other political forces to form a new cabinet. Farc-Ep is reported to be gaining
territory around the DMZ. The people from the South Bolivar and
Magdalena Medio continued with permanent protests to reject the government
intention and commitment with the ELN concerning the DMZ. This part of the
country is rich in gold, oil and coal, it is an area of important oil
exploration and exploitation by ECOPETROL, and to make matters more difficult
and complex, several armed groups operate in this area.
May
19: As soon as Pastrana indicated to Farc-Ep that peace signals should be made
by this Organization, after several weeks of intense war. The government cancelled the international
audiences to be taken place later this month, Farc-Ep spokesperson Raúl Reyes
announced yesterday to the new High Commissioner, Camilo Gómez, that the
negotiations are frozen once again until the government reconsidered its position
concerning the international audiences/hearings. The population of Magdalena Medio
and South Bolivar were still protesting against a DMZ for the ELN in this region,
the government has not come out with any response and has not shown any will to
assume accountability for negotiating the oil fields zone with the guerrillas.
Several demonstrations, students and civil society in general, coordinated by
the NO MAS Movement have taken place this week, demanding coherence and efficiency from
the government in dealing with the conflict.
May
23: The government has confirmed the DMZ for the ELN, although the zone’s
population is vehemently against it. The date is not set yet. Farc-Ep was interested in having the international hearings
dealing with illicit crops and there was the interest of the international
community to have this exchange of views. Jan Egeland, UNSG Special Envoy,
declared that the drug trafficking and illicit crops are the main two
difficulties in the Colombian peace process and called for a cease-fire in order
to continue with peace negotiations.
May
25: The negotiations will resume next week
and the hearing with the international community on illicit crops might still be
possible. In the meantime, the government is in the middle of confusion due
to the political crisis generated by the referendum against corruption at the
Congress. Several referendums were put forward (the government, the Liberal Party,
other organizations) The Liberal Party is not willing to go along with the
President’s referendum as it was presented. The Liberal Party had a new
proposal and the government did not intent to negotiate any changes to
create consensus on its proposal. A dead-end situation and the Colombian
political elite have traveled to Washington aiming at obtaining former
President, Cesar Gaviria
mediation to resolve the crisis. So the nation is polarized in a context of a
deep social and economic crisis, the routes are blocked in six
"Departamentos" or provinces (north of Colombia) that are protesting
against different issues, including the DMZ to the ELN, while the government is
not willing to renegotiate with the ELN. The government accepted to give away
territory where the ELN presence is scarce without any consultation with the
inhabitants of the region, who were united in their rejection to the DMZ. The food
shortage and the financial losses for the private sector run in millions of US
dollars a day.
May
26-31: The political crisis has cooled down. In regard to the ELN, the road blockades
were still in place and
the government was trying to reach agreement. A meeting was held in
Bucaramanga to try to find a solution for the demilitarized zone. The ELN and the civil
society facilitating commission are holding talks in Stuttgart, Germany, trying
to renew the dialogue between this organization and the civil society. In the
meantime, the issue of a ELN demilitarized zone is uncertain, and new negotiators
tried to reach some consensus. This was the case of the new Minister of Interior, Humberto De la
Calle. So far the Minister has not been very
successful. Concerning the Farc-process, suspended for some weeks over the
dispute of a horrible crime authors, and after the government accepted that
Farc-Ep did not commit the collar-bomb crime, the talks resumed and the international hearing
about illicit crops in June 29-30 with 29
countries (originally set for the end of May) was re-scheduled. Farc
accepted to begin talks about the cease-fire in July 3.
June
6: Farc-Ep DMZ was extended in time for 6 more months. The government gave
political status to the ELN, trying to facilitate the decision for this
guerrilla group to enter peace negotiations with the government. This happened
after the meeting in Germany between the so-called civil society and the ELN.
There were no signs of a DMZ for the ELN in the South Bolivar, although the
government was trying to convince the peasants that this zone would be different
from the one given to Farc and that the military and police authorities would
remain to protect the population. It was difficult to trust the
authorities, when only few days after the peasants acceptance to unblock the
roads, the "Comité del No al Despeje" leaders were threaten
because of their position against the DMZ for the ELN. Still an unsolved
issue.
June
7-14: In new talks with the "Comité del No al Despeje" that
rejected the DMZ for the ELN, this movement demanded for a
national referendum to decide whether or not the Colombian people were willing to
demilitarize more regions. On other issues, Raúl Reyes, Farc-Ep spokesperson is
in Spain and Cuba. In Spain he participated at a Seminar about the Colombian
Peace Process and also met with Antonio García second in command of the ELN.
There is the possibility of a "summit" between Tirofijo (Farc-Ep) and
Gabino (ELN). There are speculations about unifying both peace processes. The
idea came out of some members of the Facilitation Group that considered that
since the result would be one peace, both process should go along together to end up in one National
Assembly. In Cuba, Raúl Reyes met with Alvaro Leyva. Apparently, this was a low
profile reunion that not even the Colombian Ambassador to Cuba was aware of.
Alvaro Leyva was the Farc-Ep´s favorite government negotiator and because of
some problems with the justice (8000 process) he lives in Costa Rica.
June 15-20: The Committee of "No Al Despeje" in the Magdalena Medio had meetings this week to coordinate a common position to be presented in future meetings with the government. They were against the DMZ for the ELN in this region and the government did not propose anything new. Likewise, the population was very upset over the High Commissioner meetings with the ELN to discuss the DMZ issue.
June 19: the government representatives failed to appear at a meeting organized, in the Magdalena Medio, with the ELN peace facilitators (General Prosecutor and other civil society members) and the "No al Despeje" leaders. The political crisis continued. Raúl Reyes, Farc-Ep spokesperson continued the diplomatic tour after his participation at the Conference on Colombia held in Madrid. He continued his tour to Cuba where he met with Fidel Castro and to Venezuela where he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of this country. Next stop is Mexico. Meetings in England to promote the "Plan Colombia" and future meeting with the donors in July 7.
June
22: The government and the ELN agreed to start dialogues to set out the basis
for the negotiation process in Madrid. Likewise, the government decided to
conform a group of friends to serve as facilitators in the process to the ELN.
The countries have not been announced yet. In few days, the meetings will start. In the meantime the Magdalena Medio population and
Committee "No al Despeje" were still against the idea and the government
would need to find other formulas, because this one has apparently no future. The
US Senate approved US$ 670 million in aid to Colombia. Aid that will be
channeled through Plan Colombia and mainly oriented to combat the drug business.
Farc-Ep rejected the aid and insisted that it was oriented against
the guerrillas. Simón Trinidad said: with this "many manuel marulandas
will reproduce in the country." It
is not the whole aid promised in the first package around US$ 1.200 million, US$
300 million were approved in 1999. The package has to go to the Conference
Committee for conciliation between the two chambers since the projects approved
are different.
June
27: The ELN and government officials met in Madrid, Spain, trying to set
the peace process in motion, despite all the troubles around the demilitarized
zone in the Magdalena Medio, where the peasants and residents are totally
against, despite all the
promises about the maintenance of State authority and international
verification. This past weekend more audiences took place in El Caguán, Raúl
Reyes returned from his diplomatic tour to Spain, Cuba, Venezuela and Dominican
Republic. He did not visit Mexico as it was firstly announced. Preparations for the International Audience organized for June 29
and 30 in place. The Plan Colombia debate in Europe is finding many opponents, not only
the NGOs but also several European governments, such as Belgium, France and
Germany. Spain and Great Britain are still supporting the aid. Aznar and Blair
with Clinton. The European doubted that the eradication program as established
could solve the problem. Instead, it could foster the war. July will be a
crucial month for the Plan Colombia in Europe with the Donors Meeting in Madrid
next July 7.
June 29-30: International audience with the 21 countries invited and present. The peasants and organizations from all over the nation had the opportunity of expressing their situation and obligation in going into illicit crops in order to survive, considering the State absence in most of the regions and the lack of economic programs that benefit the population. Farc-Ep mobilized its political and main leaders to promote the Movimiento Bolivariano, Farc-Ep political wing, created in April 2000. In this audience, the government presented the kidnapping situation and practices in the country. However, according to Simon Trinidad, one of Farc-Ep negotiators, the international community did not mention the issue. In one more negative statistical data, Colombia is the leader in kidnapping in the world, with more than 3000 people kidnapped every year, including children. The kidnapping issue is precisely one of the most critical points in this process. The President announced some more laws to combat kidnapping that have lack efficiency.
July
3: beginning of the cease-fire talks with two separate proposals from the
government and Farc-Ep. These will be studied by both sides within a month,
before entering into a joint analysis. In the meantime other issues will be
studied. Concerning the ELN, the meeting with the government and a group of
facilitators will take place in Switzerland during the third week of July.
July
5: France, Spain, Switzerland, Norway and Cuba conform the group of friends in
the dialogue between the government and the ELN. They could adopt the role of
observers, facilitators, and mediators, according to the circumstances. In
regard to the cease-fire talks with Farc-Ep, both proposals (from both sides)
are being studied and the costs involved are being considered. For instance, how
much would have to pay the government if the cease-fire is agreed to sustain
each guerrilla member, considering that Farc-Ep would stop extortion and
kidnapping practices. Around 180.000 pesos (=US$ 90) for each guerrilla member/a
month and, calculating 18.000 guerrilla members, the monthly amount raise up to
3.240 millions of pesos (US$1.600 million)
July
6-12: The European Union discussed the Plan Colombia and was willing to consider
it provided the resources were destined for peace projects. Although without
more results from the negotiating table, resources could be delayed. The
Negotiators started an exchange of views about the issue of creating some sort
of mechanism, international verification for instance, to assess if Farc-Ep is
hiding the kidnappings in the demilitarized zone, as the Attorney - General and
the police commanders have been saying with material evidence, for the last two weeks.
Several children are in the DMZ and some because of great pressure have been
released. Farc-Ep was reluctant to accept an international verification
commission, and this group has rejected this kind of mechanism since the beginning
of the negotiations.
July
12-17: The group of friends ambassadors visited the ELN headquarters in South
Bolivar, to discuss details about the meetings in Geneva next week, and to get
to know the guerrilla commanders. Gabino (main commander) committed to the
return of the two ELN political spokesmen imprisoned in Medellín, after they
attended the meetings in Geneva. The Church also visited Gabino to exchange
views about the coming meeting in Switzerland. Lack of advance in the verification issue with Farc-Ep.
July
18-26: ELN commanders traveled with the government delegates and civil society
representatives to Geneva for two days of talks to set out the foundations for a
peace process. Felipe Torres and Francisco Galán (were given special permits to
leave the Itagüí prison) and Antonio García (military commander) participated
in the meeting. Some of the families of the hostages kidnapped by the ELN
traveled also to Geneva to present the situation to the international community
and to pressure the ELN for an immediate release. Gabino as a sign of “good
will” was ready to release one of the Fokker hostages because of illness
problems. The hostages were taken in April 1999. Last year, the government
conditioned talks with the ELN upon the release of all hostages. This position
has been modified. The ELN was willing to discuss the cease-fire
possibility provided the government gave another DMZ, in this case the first
one to the group. It was willing to talk about kidnapping in a package and not as
a separate item. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Von Däniken
affirmed: “civilian kidnapping can never be considered acceptable to achieve
political goals and financing means.” Two days of talks ended with nothing in
concrete. There is although the possibility of starting the dialogues in Cuba
under the leadership of Ambassador Londoño (Colombia’s ambassador to Cuba and
facilitator in the process with the ELN)
July
27-August 9: The ELN and Farc-Ep continued their attacks against energy towers
and small villages. The cease-fire rounds of talks have not begun. The
Political parties’ leaders visited El Caguán to support the cease-fire talks.
President Clinton will be visiting Colombia at the end of August in support for
the Plan Colombia and the American Aid to combat drug trafficking.
August
10-28: Peace talks have not advanced. President Clinton visit to Cartagena,
Wednesday Aug. 30, with a delegation of Congressmen and other American
politicians and businessmen has been at the center of governmental attention.
This visit should be examined in the context of the Plan Colombia and a more
involvement of US intelligence and know-how in the war against drugs.
August 30: President Clinton´s visit in Cartagena developed as planned. Both countries committed to continue and intensify their cooperation in the war against drugs.
September: Peace process at stalemate.
September 8: The prisoner and FARC guerrillero Arnubio Ramos, took control of a commercial airplane and landed in El Caguán (Farc´s demilitarized zone). Since then the parties do not know how to unblock the process and renew talks on cease fire and cease of hostilities, the exchange (canje) issue and International humanitarian law.
September 17: The Farallones, Cali, ELN massive kidnapping is another attack against the civil society within the lack of governmental programs to protect the citizens. The Farallones happened few days before the Costa Rica Meeting, that tried to build a commitment to peace talks between the ELN and the government, facilitated by some members of the Colombian civil society and the group of friends (France, Norway, Switzerland, Spain and Cuba)
October 16: The first pictures of Farc´s camps with the soldiers kept as hostages, more than 300, have created strong reactions against the process.
October 23: First meeting between Farc-Ep and Camilo Gómez, Peace Commissioner. As a result, a commission was created to propose a solution in the case of the guerrillero Arnubio Ramos. The guerrilla suggested keeping him in exchange of the Coronel kidnapped by Farc-Ep and who was very ill. The commission was formed by Monseñor Alberto Giraldo (government) and Andrés París (Farc-Ep). The commission had 30 days to inform the negotiators of the investigation results.
October 25: Manuel Marulanda, Farc-Ep
top commander
announced that he would like to meet with the Armed Foces Commander, General
Fernando Tapias, to discuss the exchange issue (army and guerrilla prisoners).
November: Continuing with this year tendency, nothing much about concrete issues in the peace process.
November 14: New rounds to discuss the cease-fire were announced, until Farc-Ep suspended the meetings, with the argument that the government is not doing enough to combat the paramilitary. Since the Minister of Interior met with Castaño on a humanitarian mission to release the senators, Farc-Ep move out of negotiations. The Farallones massive ELN kidnapping resolved with the armed forces actions.
November 20: Pastrana convened the liberal party leaders and other political forces and created the United Peace Front to deal with the peace dialogues. Manuel Marulanda declared this week that “I see President Pastrana very very weak”.
November 28-30:
New meetings
between Jan Egeland, Camilo Gómez and Tirofijo. The government is desperately
seeking any kind of agreement with Farc-Ep on any issue to be able to extend the
demilitarized zone of El Caguán. Although the guerrilla keeps the negotiations
at stalemate, the government is willing to extend the zone in time with apparently new
conditions to promote support from the public opinion.
The public opinion opposes the extension any further because it has not produced
the results expected in the beginning. The
decision is due Dec. 7. Camilo Gómez tried to
sign a humanitarian agreement of exchange of those prisoners who were sick. At the moment, more
than 3000 people are
kidnapped in Colombia.
Let
us briefly review an opinion poll about the demilitarized zone (DMZ) extension
and other related matters (questionnaires to 800 people) Results published at EL
TIEMPO, Dec. 3, 2000
1.
Do you agree with the extension in time of the demilitarized zone (DMZ)
even though the peace dialogues are suspended? No 76%, Yes 24%
2.
Do you think that the DMZ has been useful for the peace process? No 88%,
Yes 12%
3.
Do you think that Farc has a will for peace? No 83%, Yes 17%
4.
Who is leading the negotiations with Farc? Farc 56%, Government 6%, Both
26%, Neither one 12%
5.
Do you think that negotiations with Farc are in the right track? Bad
track 83%, Good Truck 15%, No answer 2%
6.
Do you think that Farc is committing crimes inside the DMZ? Yes 90%, No
10%
7.
Which crimes do you think they are committing? (720 questionnaires)
Kidnapping 88%, Drug trafficking 70%, Arms trafficking 63%, Executions 61%
8.
Do you think that the ELN should be given a DMZ to initiate the
dialogues? No 60%, Yes 39%, No answer 1%
9.
Do you think that a negotiation with the Paramilitary should start? Yes
66%, No 33%, No answer 1%
10.
Do you think that the Armed Forces are prepared for war? No 57%, Yes 42%,
No answer 1%
11.
Do you agree with the idea of creating national defense groups to restore
public order? No 59%, Yes 40%, No answer 1%
12.
Who
would better handle the peace process? Rosso
José Serrano 31%, Horacio Serpa 27%, Alvaro Uribe Vélez 14%, Noemí Sanín
10%, None 6%
December: The last combats in Santander between the Armed Forces and the guerrilla have shown the tragedy of thousands of children (13-14 year old) taken by the guerrilla and trained for combat. Some have died and others have surrendered. The order is to commit suicide before surrendering, however some have preferred to surrender. No holidays truce granted by Farc-Ep and the ELN and in the context of the process no single issue has advanced during this year, including humanitarian issues. Considering the suspension of talks by Farc-Ep, the government found itself in a very difficult situation concerning another extension of the DMZ.
December 6:
Day to take the decision. Unwilling to send a war message, the government
decided to extend the DMZ until January 30, 2001 hoping that it will give time
to Farc to reconsider its position and to go back to the negotiating table.
December 15: Meetings started in Havana, Cuba between Camilo Gómez and ELN Pablo Beltrán, Oscar Santos and Luis Carlos. The main issue was the condition of a demilitarized zone for this group in the South of Bolivar (Cantagallo and San Pablo in Bolivar and Yondó in Antioquia). Despite communities rejection to the idea the government is pursuing this line of negotiation hoping that talks will start soon with the ELN to diminish the failure with Farc-Ep. However, considering Asocipaz power - or the No Al Despeje movement, against a demilitarized zone, the government agreed to consult with the communities before proceeding with the “despeje”. Asocipaz president, Celso Martínez, met with ELN Itagüí prisoners Felipe Tórres and Francisco Galán to discuss the demilitarized zone issue. This demilitarized zone would have different conditions from the one granted to Farc-Ep. It would have an international verification, a civilian police force, judicial authorities and military forces granting security in coordination with the ELN forces. To promote an agreement the ELN announced that 45 soldiers would be released, showing the ELN good will. The soldiers released took place on Christmas Eve. However, no cease-fire and end of hostilities have been agreed as pre-conditions for granting another peace of land of the territory. The government was willing to start another peace process in the middle of the war, approach that has proven to be a failure with the Farc-Ep.
December 22: The first draft dealing with the general understanding for the process with the ELN is under study. The government is holding consultations with the communities and organizations that are against the DMZ in the South Bolivar. More than one meeting will be necessary for the presentation. If a DMZ is granted, the ELN would have 9 months to hold the National Convention that will set out the negotiation agenda with the government. Direct talks with the government will start after this 9-month period.
December 26: Camilo Gómez, Peace commissioner, met with Raúl
Reyes to discuss the humanitarian exchange of soldiers and guerrillas in prison.
He tried to convince Farc to reconsider its position concerning the
talks with the government. However, Raúl Reyes sent a clear message: talks are
frozen and humanitarian exchange will be discussed in January with a new and
enlarged list of guerrillas to be released. Representative Diego Turbay Cote, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Peace
Commission was killed together with his mother and bodyguards. According to the
news, Farc committed the crime.
