(FARC) has offered to demobilize

elk says on May 27, 2008, 10:34:

bump

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romy says on May 27, 2008, 10:37:

seems like actual good news... wait on the details of the deal though

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elk says on May 27, 2008, 10:46:

Perhaps it's time to talk!

Bogotá, May 27, 2008 / 11:42 am (CNA).- The secretary general of the Bishops’ Conference of Colombia, Bishop Fabian Marulanda, said the death of FARC leader “Tirofijo� could be an opportunity for the rebel group to realize that power cannot be obtained through violence and that it should reconsider choosing peace.

“This could be an opportunity for the FARC to realize the difficulty of maintaining its positions and its ideal of achieving power through armed force,� Bishop Marulanda told the press.

However, the bishop also called on the Colombian government to be prudent in the wake of news of the death of Tirofijo. “Triumphs must me handled with even greater prudence than failures, because the one who is defeated or wounded can react in unexpected ways,� he said. “The commanders of the guerrillas must be hurt by the death of someone who was an icon to them, their supreme commanding idol,� the bishop explained.

Tirofijo, also know as “Manuel Marulanda� and whose real name is Pedro Antonio Marin, died on March 26. However, his death was confirmed only last Saturday by the Colombian government and confirmed by the FARC on the following day.

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romy says on May 27, 2008, 10:48:

wise words from this bishop... anybody know much about him?

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ColombianoGringo says on May 27, 2008, 10:48:

This misleading topic again? It has been discussed in other topics over the weekend.

The FARC has not yet made any official deals with the government. Uribe stated that some "leaders" called to discuss demobilizing and releasing hostages under their control. However, there was no specific mention of which "leaders" are involved. It is most likely "front" level leaders that are actually holding the hostages. He reiterated his offer of a reward and safe passage to a third country for any guerrillas turning themselves in with hostages. I hope it happens, but, any celebration at this stage is premature. Even if some do turn themselves in and bring some hostages, this does not mean that all the FARC fronts will demobilize.

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rocinante says on May 27, 2008, 11:12:

I'll believe it when I believe it.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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ColombianoGringo says on May 27, 2008, 11:15:

Ha Ha. Well. You can't argue with that.

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Mononoke28 says on May 27, 2008, 11:21:

The death of Tiro Fijo does explain why more heads of the guerrilla are starting to give themselves up. If the FARC don't get their stuff together and pull them back in (*picture Al Pacino in "The Godfather III"), they will never be as strong as they were 10 years ago and it'll be easier for Uribe to destroy them.

Then all he has to do if break down the ELN and the Paras and we're golden! =\

Diana

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de pronto says on May 27, 2008, 11:42:

I usually avoid commenting on this subject, but I wish that my friends' dream of seeing Colombia free from FARC comes true in a short term.

... y viaje a Macondo todo pagado

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juancegomez says on May 27, 2008, 12:20:

I don't think Uribe meant that FARC as a whole has offered such a thing, but that there may be leaders who have.

Or, of course, he's just inventing things or simply exaggerating...

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slguy says on May 27, 2008, 12:24:

"Or, of course, he's just inventing things or simply exaggerating..."

karina's surrender would indicate otherwise, at least symbolically.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Tinto (Moderator) says on May 27, 2008, 13:18:

I don't know if the ELN is considered to be more "pure" in ideology than the FARC but they've supposedly been whittled down to 3000 to 5000 members for about five years now and they still haven't given up or participated in some kind of amnesty/demobilization. Hard to imagine the FARC going away anytime soon.

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 27, 2008, 16:16:

Uribe's playing one hell of a good poker game right now.

Think about where the whole situation stood just a few months ago when the international community was pressuring for the demilitarized zone for a so-called humanitarian exchange and Chavez was carrying their water. Everyone thought Uribe was on the losing end.

Things have really turned around in the ensuing months.

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robi666 says on May 27, 2008, 19:19:

LOL

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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papiChulo says on May 27, 2008, 23:46:

Love or hate him Uribe is a very shrewd man... muy paisa... ;)

I'm not greedy I just want a lot.

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dwmte7 says on May 28, 2008, 04:36:

roci....very well put. like i said in another thread. believe the hostages are freed when they're at the table in poblado, or back home with their families.

dwmte

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webmanco says on May 28, 2008, 06:32:

http://www.eltiempo.com/conflicto/noticias/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-...

Mayo 27 de 2008

Farc insistirán en acuerdo humanitario tras muerte de 'Manuel Marulanda'


En un comunicado, el nuevo secretariado anunció frente a la tumba de quien fuera su lider máximo, Antonio Marín, alias 'Tirofijo', que mantendrá la lucha armada.

"Se ha marchado el gran líder y de sus inagotables enseñanzas que nos maduraron en todos estos años a su lado, hoy, en medio de nuestro dolor, queremos resaltar por su vigencia y gran valor su profunda confianza en nuestros principios revolucionarios, planes, propuestas y en la victoria de la causa popular; la templanza para enfrentar las dificultades; y la esencial importancia que significa la sólida unidad interna que nos ha permitido desarrollarnos con vigor en todos los momentos de nuestra existencia", señala uno de los apartes del comunicado divulgado este martes.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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