Colombian paramilitaries to demobilize 1,000 fighters: report

BOGOTA (AFP) May 25, 2003
Colombian right-wing paramilitary groups will demobilize 1,000 fighters before June 15 as a good will gesture in order to promote a peace process in the country, the weekly El Espectador reported Sunday.

The decision was announced a week ago by Carlos Castano and Salvatore Mancuso, the political and military chiefs of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), during a meeting with local leader in the northwestern region of Uraba, according to the report.

The decision to reduce the number of its fighters was made by AUC leaders in hopes of advancing talks the right-wing group began with the government of President Alvaro Uribe last January, the weekly reported.

El Espectador said a government commission that is negotiating with the paramilitaries will present a report containing its recommendations on the future course of action.

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