Colombia President Calls on Rebel Leader to Discuss Peace
President Andres Pastrana challenged Colombia’s top guerrilla leader Wednesday to a face-to-face meeting to salvage peace talks, and extended the existence of a rebel safe area for four days.
The renewal through Sunday of the 2-year-old “demilitarized zone” was applauded by critics who contend that Pastrana has been too lenient with the guerrillas in talks to end a 37-year conflict.
Pastrana invited Manuel Marulanda, founder and chief of the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, to meet him by Sunday, the new deadline for deciding the future of the guerrilla enclave.
“I propose we meet by the end of the week and decide once and for all if we are going to continue the peace process,” Pastrana said in an address to the nation.
There was no immediate reply from Marulanda.
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