U.S. Backs Halt to Rebel Peace Talks

Washington endorsed Colombian President Andres Pastrana’s decision to suspend the next round of peace talks with Marxist rebels, set for later this month. Pastrana made the decision Tuesday after rebels allegedly killed a woman by rigging a bomb around her neck in a bungled extortion attempt in central Boyaca province. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said of Pastrana’s move: “We think it’s courageous. It indicates to the rebels that if they’re serious about [peace] . . . these barbaric acts have to cease.” It was the first time in the 18-month-old peace process that the government has called off talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, aimed at ending the long-running war. A rebel spokesman denied that the FARC was responsible for Monday’s attack.