FARC-EP Advocate for Redefinition of Counter-Drug Policy

Prensa Latina News Agency - 

Havana, Mar 28 (Prensa Latina) The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People''s Army (FARC-EP) advocated here today for a counter-drug policy with a humanized approach in the context of the Integral Rural Reform.

Through a statement, insurgents highlighted the recent completion of the National Agrarian Summit, held in Bogota, from March 15 to 17, where besides the demans concerning the rural theme, and mining and energy explotation, Colombian peasants expressed their opinions on coca, marijuana and poppy crops.
In view of the peasants, the forced eradication and air fumigations which poison fields will not solve the problem, affirmed the guerillas which considered as failed and repressive the Government's counter-narcotic policy, and recognized the rural sector as the main victim of this problem and its impacts.

Therefore, in the context of the XXII cicle of peace dialogues cary out since November, 2012 in this capital, the FARC-EP considered "the need to redefine the guidlines for a new counter-drug policy with a humanized approcah".

In this regard, they said that such a policy must also undertake a participatory, concerted, gradual, environmentally sustainable program of substitution (of illicit crops) to enroll in the frames of a deep, structural comprehensive rural reform, that enables the wellfare and good living of rural communities.

This involves relating these substitution programs with the Integral Rural Reform, to the planning and land management and the strengthening of the rural economy, in times and procedures that help those affected to escape the poverty that overwhelms them, asserted FARC-EP.

Source http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2524651&Itemid=1