On January 14, 2002, after a week of tensions, each side poised for what could
have been an escalated conflict, peace talks between the government of Colombia and
the FARC guerrilla group resumed after intense mediation by United Nations
representatives. FARC agreed to return to the negotiating table honoring accords
that dropped the previous complaints which had stalled the talks in October, namely
the presence of government security forces monitoring the guerrilla safe zone.
Colombian President Pastrana, after announcing the revival of talks, cautioned that
he wanted to see concrete results from FARC before the original Sunday deadline at
which time he will decide on the extension of the safe zone. "We have less than a
week," Pastrana said. "This is a defining moment."
News Stories:
"Se derrumba el proceso de paz,"
El Colombiano, (Medellín) January 15, 2002
"Colombia demands rebel ceasefire plan,"
BBC News, January 15, 2002