CIP statement on revival of peace talks, January 14, 2002

CIP statement on revival of peace talks, January 14, 2002

The Center for International Policy expresses its relief at the apparent revival of the peace process between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla insurgency, announced shortly after 5:00 PM on January 14. The courageous last-minute agreement reached this evening has undoubtedly saved many lives.

We send our gratitude and congratulations to the individuals who helped broker the agreement: James LeMoyne and Andrés Salazar of the United Nations, whose tireless efforts over the weekend were crucial to the final result; Monsignor Alberto Giraldo of the Episcopal Conference; and Ambassador Daniel Parfait of France and the other members of the group of friends of the peace process.

We congratulate the FARC for its flexibility in finding a formula that allows the talks to continue, and the Colombian government for agreeing to step back from the brink of all-out military confrontation. Analyses about which side conceded to the other's demands miss the point. In fact, the outcome benefits both sides politically.

A key lesson from the past few days is the importance of the role that the international community can play. We are encouraged by the decision to include a greater role for impartial international facilitators as part of a renewed peace process. Both sides should be open to a possible expansion of that role, perhaps to include mediation, if the situation requires it.

We hope that both sides resolve never again to come so close to a breakdown in talks. May a renewed dialogue bring swift progress toward a cease-fire agreement, as contemplated in the October 2001 San Francisco de la Sombra accord and the September document of the "Notables Commission."