Colombia, FARC rebels set to start peace talks Wednesday

Colombia, FARC rebels set to start peace talks Wednesday
By Luis Jaime Acosta and Balazs Koranyi
BOGOTA/OSLO | Tue Oct 16, 2012 5:53pm EDT

(Reuters) - Colombia's government and Marxist rebels will start peace talks as planned on Wednesday in Oslo in a bid to end nearly half a century of conflict after logistical problems delayed departure of the delegates, Colombia's government said.

President Juan Manuel Santos, facing criticism on security issues, has launched the latest attempt to negotiate a deal with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas.

"We're leaving now with hope, with moderate optimism. We don't believe in false expectations," said Humberto de la Calle, head of the government's negotiating team, before boarding a plane at a military airport in Bogota with the rest of the team.

"We do believe that there are structural elements that give hope and the idea that we will bring good news to Colombia."

More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/16/us-colombia-farc-talks-idUSBRE89F1NE20121016