AMERICA/COLOMBIA - The request to continue peace talks: "Do not destroy the hope of Colombians"

Friday, 21 November 2014

Popayan (Agenzia Fides) - The President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, personally announced last night that protocols have been activated for the release of four soldiers and a civilian abducted by the FARC and that immediately after their release, members of the government will return to Havana to continue the peace process (see Fides 18/11/2014). The note sent to Agenzia Fides by Caracol Radio reports that, after a meeting with indigenous communities in Popayan, Cauca Valley, the President announced: "as soon as I see the hostages released, I will give instructions to negotiators to return to Havana" . At the time of the kidnapping in fact the President had suspended peace talks.
The President of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, Archbishop of Tunja His Exc. Mgr. Luis Augusto Castro Quiroga, on November 19 issued a statement, also sent to Agenzia Fides, in which he asked President Santos to continue the peace process with these words: "I urge the President to reflect, because he must not allow that the hope of Colombians is destroyed, just like a ceramic plate thrown from the fifth floor". Mgr. Castro Quiroga had also reiterated the Church's support towards the government to continue the dialogue of peace as soon as possible.
Referring to the indigenous peoples, President Santos noted that "they are those who have suffered most the consequences of war", therefore there is a great desire in the area to be able to restore peace in Colombia. Santos also announced from Popayan the signing of a presidential decree for the effective protection and legal security of the territories occupied by indigenous ancestors. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2014)


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