Analysts say Colombian rebels’ unilateral cease-fire showed discipline in FARC ranks

[Judi Lynn]

Analysts say Colombian rebels’ unilateral cease-fire showed discipline in FARC ranks
By Associated Press,
Updated: Sunday, January 20, 4:11 PM

BOGOTA, Colombia — A unilateral cease-fire by Colombia’s main leftist rebel group set to end at midnight Sunday was deemed largely successful by analysts, who say it showed that divisions in the insurgency’s ranks are relatively minor.

The rebels’ main negotiator in peace talks taking place in Cuba, Ivan Marquez, offered Sunday to extend the two-month cease-fire if the government would agree to embrace it.

An alternative, Marquez told reporters in Havana as he headed into peace talks centering on agrarian reform, could be to “regularize the war” by obtaining promises from the government that it would stop placing military bases in population centers.

There was no immediate response from Colombia’s government, though President Juan Manuel Santos has refused to halt hostilities during peace talks that formally began in Havana in November after six months of secret negotiations.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/analysts-say-colombian-rebels-unilateral-cease-fire-showed-discipline-in-farc-ranks/2013/01/20/4db9bfd0-634e-11e2-889b-f23c246aa446_story.html

[naaman fletcher]

1. Corporate media

FARC carried out 57 attacks during ceasefire: Ombudsman
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/peace-talks/27771-farc-carried-out-57-attacks-during-ceasefire-ombudsman.html

FARC denies increase in arms purchases
The FARC denied claims by Ecuador military commander that the guerrilla group has purchased large amounts of arms during the cease-fire.

The guerrilla leader Rodrigo Granda rejected General Fernando Proaño's statements after he accused the FARC of increasing weapons purchases in Ecuador during the unilateral cease-fire.

“Since the beginning of the peace process...we have captured a great amount of ammunition, arms and therefore we know they [FARC] took advantage of this situation to strengthen their position in preparation of what might happen in the future,” said the Ecuador General, who commands the Colombia-Ecuador border.

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/peace-talks/27726-farc-denies-increase-in-arms-purchases.html