The National Liberation Army (ELN) conditioned the meeting with the Colombian Government to agree on an extension from the bilateral ceasefire that expires this Saturday to the publication of a presidential decree removing that guerrilla group from the list of organized armed groups (GAO).
(Further: Businessmen’s concerns about the peace process with the ELN).
“On August 3, the extension of the Bilateral, National and Temporary Ceasefire expires. If it is in the Government’s interest to continue it, and taking advantage of the fact that its Dialogue Delegation has stated that there is a presidential resolution in which the political nature of the ELN and its status as a rebel armed organization are explicitly recognized, then make it effective by presidential decree removing the ELN from the list of GAOs.“, the ELN said in a statement published this Saturday.
Once it is published, the guerrillas point out, they would be willing for the delegation in the dialogues to meet with the government delegation. “to evaluate the cessation and decide on its continuation; as well as to review the Government’s failures that have been the reason for the freezing of the conversation process.“.
(Read: Business unions say their proposals for a peace table with the ELN were not heard).
The Government indicated yesterday that it wants to opt for a “technical extension” of the bilateral ceasefire with the guerrillasin the absence of agreements.
“We are aware that time is running out to prepare the necessary conditions for the new extension and, for this reason, we agree with you on the option of making a technical extension of the ceasefire that will allow us to develop the meeting of the heads of delegations.“, explained the chief negotiator, Vera Grabe, and Senator Iván Cepeda, in a letter addressed to the UN and the Catholic Church, companions of the process.
(See: The ELN expresses its support for Petro’s proposal to call a constituent assembly).
Colombian government and ELN sign agreement to include citizens in peace process
EFE
The bilateral ceasefire with the ELN, the longest agreed and carried out with the guerrillas, which began a year ago, ends this Saturdaybut the parties have not met to agree on its extension, so uncertainty reigns over what will happen from today.
(Further: ELN and Colombian government unfreeze peace talks and announce cycle in Venezuela).
In addition, the ELN claims that it has not received the extension proposal and stresses that the Government has not complied with what was agreed, while the Government asks the guerrillas “clarify” if you have a “purpose of achieving peace” and royal will.
EFE
