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SG/SM/7696

SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES PROFOUND CONCERN OVER DIFFICULTIES FACING COLOMBIAN PEACE TALKS

01/02/2001
Press Release
SG/SM/7696


SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES PROFOUND CONCERN OVER DIFFICULTIES

FACING COLOMBIAN PEACE TALKS


The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:


The Secretary-General wishes to express his profound concern over the difficulties facing peace talks between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).  It is the Secretary-General’s view that the conflict in Colombia cannot be resolved militarily, but only through negotiation and the common quest for peace.  He would like to reiterate the appeal of the United Nations, recently conveyed to the parties by his Special Adviser on Colombia, not to miss this opportunity to continue on the road to peace through dialogue and negotiations.


The Secretary-General also wished to draw attention to the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in Colombia, and expresses his concern that the closing of avenues for dialogue could exacerbate what is already a critical situation.  The Secretary-General, thus, urges all parties to the conflict to continue dialogue and negotiate in good faith.  Furthermore, the Secretary-General reiterates his call for all parties to respect the rights of the civilian population through strict adherence to human rights and international humanitarian law.


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For information media. Not an official record.