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Samper told the families that he had
authorized governors... to contact
the FARC and arrange for the release
of what the rebels consider prisoners
of war.
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AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

Sunday, 3 May, 1998


Colombian president authorizes talks with rebels 
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BOGOTA -- President Ernesto Samper on Saturday said he had authorized 
government talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) 
in a bid to free 61 soldiers held by the leftist rebels. 

Samper sent that message to the families of the hostages, who in recent 
weeks have criticized the president for not doing enough. 

Samper told the families that he had authorized governors in two 
southwestern departments -- Valle and Narino -- to contact the FARC and 
arrange for the release of what the rebels consider prisoners of war. 

Eighteen of the soldiers were captured during a FARC attack on a mountain 
communication base in December. The other 43 were seized in March during 
a bloody fight in Colombia's southern jungle that left more than 100 
soldiers and rebels dead.

Last June, the FARC released 70 soldiers after months of negotiations that 
involved the International Committee of the Red Cross and international 
delegates.

The release followed a government agreement to pull soldiers out of the 
jungles of Caguan -- considered a rebel stronghold -- for one month. 

Copyright 1998 Agence France Presse