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FARC PROCLAIM THEY ARE A STATE UNDER FORMATION IN COLOMBIA

El Universal, Caracas, 24 January 2008

FARC PROCLAIM THEY ARE A STATE UNDER FORMATION IN COLOMBIA

The Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) are a belligerent force, as both previous governments in Colombian and a number of foreign governments have acknowledged, as well a State under formation, said the rebel group's number two man Raúl Reyes in an interview published on Wednesday.

"The FARC are a belligerent force acknowledged by previous governments in Colombia and the world," Reyes told communist weekly publication Voz replying to a questionnaire over the Internet.

Reyes was referring to President Hugo Chávez's proposal to recognize the political status of the rebel groups FARC and National Liberation Army (ELN). The Venezuelan ruler also suggested removing the guerrilla organizations from the US and European Union lists of terrorist groups, AFP reported.

"The gestation of the new Bolivarian, socialist State in the FARC is indisputable," Reyes added. President ÿlvaro Uribe, as well as Washington and the EU, has rejected Chávez's proposal.

Further, Reyes said a swap of 40 civilian hostages for 500 FARC troops in jail "requires the immediate demilitarization" of the municipalities of Pradera and Florida (south Colombia).

By sloopskipper on Jan 24, 2008, 07:12 in Politics & the war.

Gator says on Jan 24, 2008, 07:28:

Sr. Reyes:

Por Favor, put a rubber band around your head and snap out of it.

La Colombia tienes que ponerte duro y poner las cartas sobre la mesa.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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juancegomez says on Jan 24, 2008, 07:43:

No, no government on Earth, let alone Colombia, has previously recognized FARC as a belligerent force.

Even Chávez has only done so verbally and somewhat confusingly. He's not gone all the way down that path yet.

FARC has been previously recognized as a political movement and/or insurgent group, yes, but belligerence is a very specific thing, not something which can be derived from vague interpretations of different events.

As for FARC creating "a state in formation"...that claim actually made at least a bit more sense during the Caguán talks, all in all. Right now? Not really.

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britabroad says on Jan 24, 2008, 09:07:

Perhaps they´re talking about the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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Rob77 says on Jan 24, 2008, 09:16:

Yeh! Go start a new state within venezuela!!!

What a bunch of idiots thinking they deserve to be recognized while kidnapping, torturing, murdering, cultivating and selling drugs, and all in all, being a bunch of imbeciles with guns.

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

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sloopskipper says on Jan 24, 2008, 10:01:

Chavez's dream is a new Gran Colombia, with him as king, of course.

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britabroad says on Jan 24, 2008, 13:31:

I´d have thought that someone like Simon Bolivar was the last person that a communist/socialist regime would want to base their future hopes/dreams on. Bolivar was a right-wing dictator and a 'Bolivarian Republic' conjours up images that are decidely anti-socialist.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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tejasmarcos says on Jan 24, 2008, 13:46:

Sr. Reyes: put a noose around your neck and take a flying leap!

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 24, 2008, 13:52:

I think the Colombian government should call their bluff and agree to give the farc their own "country" in direct proportion to their numerical support in Colombia. Then carve out the 1% of Colombia with the most leeches, ticks and malarial mosquitos and let them have it.

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scotty says on Jan 25, 2008, 00:50:

good idea Hollywood, call their bluff...ok guys you get this piece of land and now leave us alone and stay out of the real Colombia.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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