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MIAMI HERALD

Saturday, 27 June 1998


             Horta offers to mediate in Colombia peace talks
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BOGOTA -- Jose Ramos Horta, 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, offered
himself in Bogota on Friday as mediator in eventual dialogue between
leftist rebels and the Colombian government.

Ramos said at a press conference that ``if the rebels decide to talk with
me because they think they can trust me in transmitting their point of
view . . . I'll do it.''

The Nobel winner, from East Timor, a southeast Asian island ruled by
Indonesia, advised that he would first consult with President-elect Andres
Pastrana before accepting a role as mediator.

Regardless, Ramos remarked that the incoming leader ``can be a mediator
and harmonizer with the support of the international community.''

Given this possibility, he believes that Colombia does not need an outside
mediator, though Ramos acknowledges the importance of foreign assistance.

``We can all help,'' Ramos said. He says his offer is a small contribution
toward peace, just like the effort the children of Colombia made by
requesting a ``mandate for peace'' from their candidates.

Ramos went to Bogota to meet with 25 children representing different
regions of the country. On October 26, 1997, in conjunction with regional
elections, close to 10 million Colombians voted for the same mandate
which, according to Ramos, was supported in the June 21 presidential
elections when 12 million Colombians cast ballots.

Ramos feels that the children's mission ``is not just a Colombian cause,
it's a universal cause: peace.''

Pastrana's intention to personally lead the reconciliation process was
supported by Ramos who said ``the president of the Republic has the
responsibility and the competence. He is the president of the entire
country, not just one party.''