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                Colombia: No Cease-fire Without FARC Peace Deal

   by VOA News

   The Colombian government has ruled out any cease-fire with the
   Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels until there is a
   final agreement on a peace plan.
   Colombia's chief negotiator, Humberto de la Calle, told reporters
   Thursday that his government would continue military operations until
   there is a final end to the conflict, which has spanned almost five
   decades.
   He commented at the start of new peace talks with the rebel group in
   Norway. The two sides began the sessions Wednesday in a bid to end what
   has become Latin America's oldest insurgency.
   News reports say negotiators in Norway are focusing on issues that
   include land reform, the illegal drug trade and the potential political
   rights of the rebel group once a peace agreement is signed.
   The talks in Norway are the first between the two sides since the last
   round of negotiations collapsed in 2002.  The talks are being mediated
   by Norway and Cuba.
   Colombia and FARC rebels have engaged in a bloody civil war that has
   claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
   Since 1964, the militant group has engaged in political kidnappings and
   carried out attacks on security forces in its battle against the
   government.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/colombia-no-cease-fire-without-farc-p
   eace-deal/1529118.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/colombia-no-cease-fire-without-farc-peace-deal/1529118.html