FARC responds to terrorist designation

In a July 18 statement, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-
People's Army (FARC-EP) expressed great appreciation for the European 
Union's role in the now-interrupted peace process between the FARC and the 
Colombian Government, as well as profound regret that the EU has now 
excluded itself from the process through its recent listing of the FARC as 
a "terrorist" organisation.

The FARC noted that the 15 EU countries had "contributed enthusiastically" 
to the peace process of dialogue and negotiation that took place with the 
Government of President Andres Pastrana, as friends and facilitators of the 
peace process among Colombians.

[In February, those talks were unilaterally broken off by the Colombian 
Government, which then invaded the FARC's demilitarised zone in the middle 
of the country.]

The statement called it "tragic" that the EU nations have decided to 
unilaterally exclude themselves from participating in future peace talks 
"by aligning themselves in favour of one of the sides — in this case, that 
of the government.

"No doubt they are doing so in obedience to strong pressures from the 
governments of the United States and Colombia", the FARC said. "But 
nevertheless, the FARC-EP hope that in future, as a result of the 
favourable political, economic and cultural changes that must take place in 
the world, you will again be able to take an active part in the process of 
reconciliation with the endorsement of both parties."

The FARC also expressed its gratitude for the contributions made by the 
governments and peoples of the European Union through the peace process 
itself and through their hospitality to visiting FARC delegations.

In conclusion, the FARC reaffirmed their "revolutionary convictions and 
principles" and their intent to win political power "to govern Colombia, 
committed to the poor for the building of a nation where prevails the 
protection of the basic rights and freedoms, social justice, independence 
and sovereignty of the more than 30 million of our compatriots, 
dispossessed and marginalised by the selfish interests of a handful of 
families belonging to the present ruling caste."

* * *

People's Weekly World