Full Colombian paramilitary demobilization by December 2005: statement

BOGOTA (AFP) Jul 16, 2003
Colombia's right-wing paramilitary groups will fully demobilize by late 2005, the group announced in a joint statement with government officials late Tuesday.

Representatives of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) had been meeting with officials from the government of President Alvaro Uribe in an undisclosed location seeking to start formal peace talks.

The group's 10,000 fighters will begin demobilizing before the end of 2003 in a process expected to last at least until December 31, 2005, the statement read.

The statement, titled the "Agreement of Santa Fe de Ralito," adds that the Colombian government "agrees to help incorporate (AUC members) into the civilian life."

The paramilitaries are the sworn enemies of two other of Colombia's irregular forces, the 17,000-strong leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the smaller National Liberation Army (ELN).

Washington considers all three groups terrorist organizations.

More than 200,000 people have been killed in Colombia's nearly 40-year-old civil war.

WAR.WIRE