Seven members of the U.S. Congress have just sent a letter endorsing three European governments’ proposal for a demilitarized zone, where eventual "humanitarian exchange" negotiations would take place to secure the release of FARC hostages.
This is the clearest expression to date of members of Congress expressing a willingness to help end the FARC hostages’ long ordeal.
March 8, 2007
His Excellency Philippe Douste-Blazy
Minister of Foreign Relations
French Republic
His Excellency Miguel Ángel Moratinos
Minister of Foreign Relations
Kingdom of Spain
Her Excellency Micheline Calmy-Rey
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Swiss Confederation
Dr. Luis Carlos Restrepo
High Commissioner for Peace
Presidency of the Republic of Colombia
Your Excellencies:
We write out of concern – a concern that all of you demonstrably share – about a tragic situation that has gone on for far too long in the nation of Colombia.
In an act of cruelty that violates international humanitarian law, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) insurgent group has been holding fifty-seven military and civilian individuals hostage, in some cases for as much as ten years. The FARC insists that it will only
release its hostages after the Colombian government negotiates an
agreement to release hundreds of guerrilla prisoners.
Most of those being held are Colombian citizens, though three are U.S. citizens, employees of a Defense Department contractor whose aircraft went down in guerrilla-held territory more than four years ago. Most of the Colombian civilians are prominent individuals, including former legislators, governors, and one former presidential candidate (Ingrid Betancourt, a dual citizen of Colombia and France).
We join you in expressing alarm at the tragedy of fifty-seven human beings forced to exist as captives in inhospitable jungles, and of hundreds of family members who have been separated from their fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sisters or brothers for thousands of days. We also join you in calling on the FARC to abandon this cruel tactic and release its captives immediately and unconditionally.
As you know, though, the FARC instead insists that negotiations for a "humanitarian exchange" of prisoners take place in a 480
square-kilometer zone in southwestern Colombia from which all military
personnel have been removed. The Colombian government has been unwilling to pull security forces out of this zone, particularly if the FARC
insists on its own forces carrying weapons.
The result has been stalemate, with both sides far from dialogue and the hostages far from winning release. This has gone on for too long. We agree with you that the status quo is unacceptable. For this reason:
1. We support the proposal presented in 2005 by the governments of France, Spain and Switzerland, and accepted in principle by the Colombian government. Under this formula, humanitarian-exchange talks would take place in a 180 square-kilometer zone within the area proposed by the FARC. Both parties would be unarmed in this zone, with the three countries and other international observers carrying out verification
and security.
This proposal offers a good framework for moving ahead. We urge the FARC
to exhibit some flexibility and willingness to compromise. For the
insurgents, this will not be viewed as a loss of face, but as evidence
that it values international public opinion.
2. If the FARC and Colombian government agree to follow the French,
Spanish and Swiss model, we commit ourselves to support the
humanitarian-exchange talks by being present in the security zone where
talks would take place. At key moments during the process, we will be on
hand to offer whatever assistance, advice, accompaniment and political
support that members of the U.S. Congress can provide.
Of course, reaching agreement on the zone for talks is only a first step. The humanitarian exchange talks will be difficult, as both sides discuss thorny issues like released guerrillas’ ability to re-join the FARC, or the guerrillas’ commitment to take no new hostages.
These and several other big questions await the negotiators. But for now, the important thing is to get the process started. Toward that end, we pledge our support to the French, Spanish and Swiss proposal and our willingness to be present in the zone if necessary.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA)
Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ)
Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA)
Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT)
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
Rep. William D. Delahunt (D-MA)
March 14th, 2007 at 1:52 am
The humanitarian exchange proposal by 7 members of Congress is, of course, preeminently reasonable. At the risk of demonizing an opponent, I don’t really think the FARC are very reasonable. I really doubt they’ll negotiate in good faith on anything until they’re on the brink of defeat. However, I suppose Adam is right in saying that lines of communication should be kept open.
Incidentally, I want to compliment Adam on a fine presentation on the PBS Newshour recently. Had I been a debate judge, I would have declared him the winner.
Finally, I notice that, of the 7 members of Congress, 4 come from the East, 1 comes from the Midwest, and 2 come from the West. There are none from Texas or the South.
Who knows? I may be the only Plan Colombia critic in the whole South-Southwest. (At least, I would like to be part of a larger minority).