|
 Santos and FARC rebel leader Rodrigo Londono, better known by the
nom de guerre Timochenko, also agreed the leftist guerrillas would
lay down arms within 60 days of signing the deal, which now has an
official deadline of March 23, 2016.
If successful, it would end a conflict that has killed 220,000 and
displaced millions over half a century.
A lasting peace would also mark a huge advance for one of Latin
America's star emerging economies and could deal a setback to
illegal narcotics trafficking. Some FARC units have formed an
alliance with drug cartels, exchanging protection for money.
The government and the rebels have been in talks in Havana for
nearly three years, but this was the first time Santos had come to
Cuba and the first time he had met Timochenko.
"We will not fail," Santos said at a signing ceremony. "The time for
peace has arrived."
Moments later, Santos and Timochenko greeted each other with a
handshake. Cuban President Raul Castro, who hosted the meeting,
joined his hands to theirs.
In Wednesday's breakthrough, the two sides agreed to create special
tribunals to try former combatants, form an amnesty that would
exclude those who committed war crimes or crimes against humanity,
and provide reparations for victims.
Santos stressed the justice accord would apply not just to the FARC
but also government troops and right-wing paramilitary groups, which
took up arms as mercenaries for wealthy landowners or to avenge
their own grievances against the FARC.
With rebel negotiators insisting all along they would never go to
jail, the special tribunals allow for less severe punishment for
those who admit responsibility for their actions.
Those who readily admit to crimes would received five- to eight-year
terms in undefined conditions of restricted freedom. Those who come
forward belatedly would get five to eights years in jail. But those
who challenge accusations against them and are found guilty would
face up to 20 years in jail.
Timochenko repeated the rebels' longstanding call for a bilateral
ceasefire but also said the rebels were prepared to reach a peace
deal even before the six months expire.
"We don't want anything to stop this overflowing desire for peace
and hope it will be forged in a hug of reconciliation," Timochenko
said.
RECONSTRUCTION "WILL TAKE YEARS"
Half a century of war has embittered many Colombians who mistrust
the peace talks or want harsher retribution for their enemies, but
the center-right Santos staked his presidency on the peace talks. He
won re-election last year against a right-wing candidate who
threatened to end the talks if elected.
"The end of the conflict will be a matter of a few months. The
construction of peace in our land will take years," Colombian
Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo said on Twitter.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called the breakthrough "historic
progress" and telephoned Santos to congratulate him.
[to top of second column] |
The United States has poured billions dollars into military aid and
drug-fighting efforts in Colombia, one of Washington's closest
allies.
Kerry also thanked Pope Francis for lending his support to peace
when after Mass in Havana on Sunday he called on Colombia's
government and guerrillas to end their "long night" of war and said
"we do not have the right to allow ourselves another failure."
The pontiff is touring the United States, having left Cuba for
Washington.
"The pope will be pleased to hear this," Vatican spokesman Federico
Lombardi told reporters, referring to the Colombian agreement. He
said the pope would not get involved in concrete aspects of the
talks but would provide moral support.
Previously, the government and the rebels reached a partial
agreement on cooperating to end the illegal drug trade, in addition
to others on land reform and the legal political participation for
rebels once they disarm.
They also have a side agreement on removing landmines from the
battlefield.
The major point left to negotiate is how demobilize rebel forces and
stop the fighting, which has continued on and off throughout the
peace talks.
Once a comprehensive deal is reached, it would go before Colombian
voters for approval.
The insurgent group of about 8,000 combatants, down from 17,000 in
their heyday, is considered a terrorist group by United States and
the European Union.
The FARC grew out of a 1960s Marxist-inspired peasant movement
demanding land reform, and has been fighting successive governments
ever since. The struggle has created one of the world's highest
internally displaced populations.
(Additional reporting by Andrew Cawthorne, Diego Ore in Havana,
Philip Pullella in Washington; Julia Symmes Cobb and Luis Jaime
Acosta in Bogota; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne, David Gregorio and
Bernard Orr)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
