Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) – Representatives from the economic corporations of the country gave a warm welcome to the proposal for a National Peace and Reconciliation Accord in Colombia, presented to the nation by the National Conciliation Commission (CCN), on February 24 at the Colombian Bishops' headquarters.
The President of the National Association of Industries (ANDI), Luis Carlos Villegas, assured that this initiative presented by the CCN is “completely supported” by the businessmen, and promised to take part in promoting the proposal and its goals in the Corporation Council, which he presides.
The President of the Colombian Bishops' Conference and of the CCN, Bishop Ruben Salazar Gomez, affirmed that this will be an effort to build “a minimum consensus that allows the country to find paths to unite ourselves in establishing a more just, fraternal, and peaceful Colombia. And in this manner, we can successfully contribute to the end of the armed conflict and the general social conflict.” Presenting the central aspects of this initiative of National Accord was Augusto Ramirez Ocampo, member of the CCN, who explained that during the next several months, there will be consultations and meetings with various sectors of Colombian society, in order to begin “slowly but surely weaving a web.” With these meetings, they hope to come to several conclusions that can help in reaching a national peace agreement in Colombia and then proceed in presenting it to the government and the various armed groups. “We hope to reach a common agreement, which should be simple and understandable for all those involved. It shouldn't need explanations and it should be an expression of our nation's soul,” representing the basic points of a policy of peace and reconciliation that can pave the way to overcoming the armed conflict that Colombia is experiencing and meet a negotiation, Ramirez Ocampo said.
During the month of March, an encounter is scheduled to be held with other organizations and CEOs and at the end of the month, there will be a first meeting with the leaders and representatives from the mass media. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 27/02/2009)
