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Judi Lynn

(160,542 posts) Wed Sep 23, 2015, 09:39 PM Sep 2015

Colombia, FARC rebels vow to reach peace deal by March 2016

Source: Reuters

Wed Sep 23, 2015 8:53pm EDT
Colombia, FARC rebels vow to reach peace deal by March 2016
HAVANA | By Nelson Acosta and Daniel Trotta

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the top FARC rebel commander pledged on Wednesday to end Latin America's longest war within six months and sealed their pact with a handshake likely to stand as a lasting image.

Santos and FARC rebel leader Rodrigo Londono, better known by the nom de guerre Timochenko, also agreed the leftist guerrillas would lay down arms within 60 days of signing the deal, which now has an official deadline of March 23, 2016. If successful, it would end a conflict that has killed 220,000 and displaced millions since 1964.

The two sides have been in peace talks in Havana for nearly three years, but this was the first time Santos had come to Cuba and his first meeting with Timochenko.

. . .

"We won't fail. The time for peace has arrived."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/24/us-colombia-rebels-idUSKCN0RN1HB20150924?rpc=401

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Colombia, FARC rebels vow to reach peace deal by March 2016 (Original Post) Judi Lynn Sep 2015 OP

U.S. lauds Colombia 'breakthroughs'; Kerry calls Santos Judi Lynn Sep 2015 #1

Judi Lynn

(160,542 posts)

1. U.S. lauds Colombia 'breakthroughs'; Kerry calls Santos

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Wed Sep 23, 2015, 09:48 PM

Sep 2015

U.S. lauds Colombia 'breakthroughs'; Kerry calls Santos
Source: Reuters - Wed, 23 Sep 2015 23:49 GMT

HAVANA, Sept 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry applauded Colombia's government and FARC rebels on Wednesday for "major breakthroughs" after the parties pledged to end Latin America's longest-running war in six months.

"Peace is now ever closer," he said in a statement. "I have called President (Juan Manuel) Santos to congratulate him and his negotiating team for their courage and commitment to the peace talks under extraordinarily difficult conditions." (Writing by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

http://www.trust.org/item/20150923235120-av3yb/

(Short article, no more at link.)

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