MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Political dialogue” with Colombian guerrillas on UNASUR table

Ecuadorian Foreign Affairs minister Ricardo Patiño

Ecuador said it would be contacting Colombian officials regarding the Colombian guerrillas FARC proposal for a “political dialogue” in the framework of the Union of South American Nations, UNASUR.

Ecuadorian Chancellor Ricardo Patiño is scheduled to meet with his Colombian counterpart, Maria Angela Holguin next Thursday.

“The only thing Ecuador can do in its role as temporary chairman of UNASUR is to convene the government of that country (Colombia) to see what it makes of the communiqué” from the FARC, adding that it would respect the decision from Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos administration.

At the Thursday meeting which is to be held on the Colombian side of the common border, Patiño and Holguín expect to discuss a full normalization of relations that remain strained since March 2008 when Colombian troops stormed a FARC camp in Ecuador killing the guerrillas’ movement number two leader.

The meeting is also seen as an opportunity for the officials to discuss the FARC message which was posted Monday in the news agency Agenica de Noticias de Nueva Colombia which normally releases messages from the guerrillas.

“Unasur is a space created for the integration of regional governments”, said Patiño.

In the proposal FARC points out that even when the Colombian government keeps the door to dialogue shut, prodded by the illusion of a military victory and the intrusion of Washington, “we want to reiterate to UNASUR our irreducible willingness to find a political solution to the conflict”.

The communiqué was signed by the seven FARC top commanders.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and Cuban leader Fidel Castro who are known to favour “revolutionary struggles” for the liberation of “exploited peoples” have warned FARC that it’s time to end with kidnappings and killings, and find a political solution to the ongoing conflict.

President Santos who took office August 7 has repeatedly stated, beginning with his inauguration speech that his administration is willing to dialogue with the insurgents but only after clear evidence of commitment to peace which means an end to armed attacks, kidnappings and extortion, as well as a clear determination to hand over their weapons.