Letter sent to the FARC by the PT (Workers’ Party) of Brazil

Federal deputy Aloizio Mercadante, Secretary of International Relations for the PT sent a message to the International Commission of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC). The document affirms that the PT "which condemns the unilateral rupture of negotiations on the part of the Colombian government," also appeals to the FARC to liberate Ingrid Betancourt – presidential candidate kidnapped [February] 23 – which would represent an important political gesture and a demonstration of willingness to restart the peace talks.

To
Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces – the People’s Army
FARC-EP
International Commission
c/o Marco León Calarcá

In name of the Workers’ Party I wish to show our determination for restarting the peace process negotiations that have been going on for nearly three years in Colombia.

The unilateral interruption of this process by the Pastrana government and the military retaking of the area previously offered to the guerrillas, represents an escalation of armed conflicts and new human rights violations of the civilian population. The retreat of the FARC tends to expose the civilian population once again to the brutal retaliations promoted by the paramilitary forces.

We fear that with the unfolding of this process, especially with the growing intervention of the American government through the so-called Plan Colombia, which openly defends a military solution, this will only represent further violence and expose the Amazon region to the risks of an undesirable foreign intervention.

The PT and all of the democratic sectors of Brazilian society, will make every possible effort towards the reestablishment of dialog, negotiation, and peace in Colombia.

The FARC claims the recognition as a "belligerent force" according to the Geneva Convention, an historical international human rights document. In this sense, the kidnapping of the ecologist, senator, and [Colombian] presidential candidate of the "Green Oxygen" Party, Ingrid Betancourt, in no way contributes to this recognition nor to defending a peaceful negotiated solution for the impasse which affects the Colombian nation.

The wide repercussions and the condemnation by important international political forces over the kidnapping of Senator Ingrid Betancourt, including from expressive segments of the European Parliament and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, himself, harm the international image of the FARC.

The Workers Party, which condemns the unilateral rupture of negotiations on the part of the Colombian government, and which is mobilizing at this time against Plan Colombia, and defends the reinitiating of dialog, appeals to the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces -- FARC-EP -- to liberate Ms. Ingrid Betancourt which would represent an important political gesture directed towards public opinion and international solidarity and an additional demonstration of your willingness to restart the peace talks.

Yours,

Aloizio Mercadante
Secretary of International Relations



[Translation by Alan Kobrin, International Committee-Green Party of the United States]