FARC Calls for Colombia to Grasp Peace Opportunities in 2015

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has denounced a series of hostile acts by the national army, which puts the fragile peace process between the parties at risk.

In a statement issued from Havana, Cuba, where senior representatives are involved iun peace talks with the Colombian government, the FARC say army movements have been noted in guerrilla-held areas. Particularly in the region of Cauca, where Colombian soldier Carlos Becerra Ojeda, was released by the FARC Friday.

On 24 and 25 December, various guerrilla fronts of the FARC reported bombing offensives, landings and increased troop presence and "were directed to act with the utmost restraint, seeking to not initiate combat."

"We alert the general public, political movements, and organizations in charge of the verification of these provocative troop deployments, that these situations are created by those who seek to generate conflict to then accuse the FARC of violating the ceasefire" states the document.

The rebel group say that while all fronts remain on defensive alert, it hopes "not to have to make decisions that endanger our resolve for an indefinite unilateral ceasefire" declared the insurgent group. The group announced the ceasefire in December.

The group posted an open letter to the national army and police on Dec. 25 which says.

"In this new year we are writing to you to confirm our decision calling a unilateral and indefinite cease-fire we made within the framework of the peace talks with the government"

The letter explains why the decision to call a cease-fire was taken: "we have taken this significant step in response to the repeated request of the delegations of victims who have come to Havana, with its harrowing testimony of pain and suffering, and as a gesture of humanity toward our counterparts on the battlefield ...it makes no sense to see more dead, injured and affected"

"The blood shed from the suffering of combatants and their families in this war between brothers has been immense. There should, therefore, be no valid reason to extend this absurd confrontation."

Reiterating the group's call for peace, and acknowledging that the process has enemies, the FARC issued a end of year greeting on its website on Jan.1, pleading for unity.

"Colombia cannot be a destination of war. Those who want peace, those who want a homeland, come with us ... those opposed to peace, for whatever reason, come too; deep down they know they should not let this opportunity, to meet anew as brothers, pass by."

Winds of Peace

In the New Year greeting, the FARC say that Colombia must seize the moment to end the half-century-long conflict, which has left some 6.8 million Colombians victims of the war.

"The continent is currently being embraced by a spirit of harmony. That's what the winds of peace blowing between Havana and Washington confirmed"

Likening Washington's failed policy toward Cuba to the Colombian government's failed war agaist armed rebels, the FARC write, "in Colombia, reality shows us every day that half a century of war against those who resist inequality and poverty, has also failed.

"The time has come, then, to silence the bullets and bombs, time to change the discourse, to change the warmongering language, giving flight to the power of speech in setting the scene for the only battle is that of ideas.

"The voice of harmony is the voice of reason, we invite skeptics and opponents to discuss their concerns with us, to share their insights constructively, together ... for the good of the majority and the fate of the nation."

Source http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/FARC-Calls-for-Colombia-to-Grasp-Peace-Opportunities-in-2015-20150101-0011.html