This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21005991
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Colombia negotiator says Farc talks must 'pick up pace' | Colombia negotiator says Farc talks must 'pick up pace' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The chief Colombian government negotiator has said he wants to speed up the pace of peace talks with Farc rebels. | |
"We must move ahead with responsibility but at faster pace," said Humberto de la Calle as he left for Cuba where negotiations are set to resume. | "We must move ahead with responsibility but at faster pace," said Humberto de la Calle as he left for Cuba where negotiations are set to resume. |
The talks, aimed at ending four decades of conflict in Colombia, have focused initially on land reform. | The talks, aimed at ending four decades of conflict in Colombia, have focused initially on land reform. |
The rebels have declared a unilateral ceasefire, but clashes have continued. | The rebels have declared a unilateral ceasefire, but clashes have continued. |
The Farc ceasefire expires on 20 January. | |
The Colombian government refused to cease military operations during the talks, saying rebels would use the opportunity to rearm. | The Colombian government refused to cease military operations during the talks, saying rebels would use the opportunity to rearm. |
President Juan Manuel Santos's government has stated that both sides must come to an agreement by November. | President Juan Manuel Santos's government has stated that both sides must come to an agreement by November. |
'Realistic approach' | 'Realistic approach' |
"The government negotiating team is fully aware that the country is longing for a peaceful solution," said Mr La Calle. | "The government negotiating team is fully aware that the country is longing for a peaceful solution," said Mr La Calle. |
"That is why we have been taking a realistic approach and making sure we do not create false expectations over the outcome of the talks." | "That is why we have been taking a realistic approach and making sure we do not create false expectations over the outcome of the talks." |
The rebels have rejected the government deadline. They say the issues are too complex. | The rebels have rejected the government deadline. They say the issues are too complex. |
Both sides "will have to take as long as necessary to reach peace," chief Farc negotiator Ivan Marquez said. | Both sides "will have to take as long as necessary to reach peace," chief Farc negotiator Ivan Marquez said. |
The talks will also focus on four other issues: | The talks will also focus on four other issues: |
|
|
The negotiations were launched in Norway on 18 October, before moving to the Cuban capital a month later. | The negotiations were launched in Norway on 18 October, before moving to the Cuban capital a month later. |
According to government estimates, more than 600,000 people have been killed in the conflict in Colombia since the Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) was founded in 1964. | |
The Colombian government says the final aim of the negotiations is to get the rebels to abandon their armed struggle and join the legal political process. | The Colombian government says the final aim of the negotiations is to get the rebels to abandon their armed struggle and join the legal political process. |