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Venezuela's Chavez wants talks with Colombian rebels
06 Aug 2007 00:03:42 GMT
Source: Reuters
CARACAS, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday that he is interested in holding talks with leftist guerrilla groups in neighboring Colombia to advance a humanitarian accord meant to end over four decades of war.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe on Thursday offered guerrillas a safe haven to hold peace talks if they free kidnapped hostages, the latest effort to break a deadlock in stalled with the rebels.

During a marathon Sunday broadcast that stretched nearly eight hours, Chavez said he "would like to speak about politics with the commanders of the Colombian guerrillas."

"We have always said that in the case of Colombia we are willing to do what we can do along the path of peace," Chavez told Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba, an ally of the leftist leader who requested his involvement in an appearance on his show.

The United States, which has provided billions in dollars of aid to the conservative Uribe government, has accused Chavez of collaborating with Colombia's guerrillas. Chavez denies the accusations and Washington has not presented evidence to support them.

Violence from Colombia's 40-year conflict has eased as Uribe sent the armed forces to take over areas once held by armed groups like the FARC, or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

But the hostage plight has become more acute since last month when the government blamed the FARC for killing 11 local lawmakers who they had kidnapped five years ago.

"We would like to help, Piedad, but that of course depends on the (people involved) over there," Chavez told the senator.

"But given your new request I promise ... to do everything I can."
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Demonstrators run during protests in Villa del Rosario Colombia, the border with Venezuela, October 1, 2007. Colombian and Venezuelan demonstrators are protesting against a decision by the Colombian government to establish toll booths at border crossings.



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