A Pesar de las Dificultades Logramos Históricos Avances, Comunicado no. 6 de la Mesa de Dialogos y Negociacion

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Country/entity: Colombia
Region: Americas
Agreement name: A Pesar de las Dificultades Logramos Históricos Avances, Comunicado no. 6 de la Mesa de Dialogos y Negociacion
Date: 19 Dec 1999
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Colombian Conflict (1964 - )
The Colombian conflict is really a set of conflicts and the peace agreements reflect both different processes relating to different conflict groups and dyads, and processes taking place at different times in a complex peace process history. The Colombian civil war has its roots in the late 1940s and the violent infighting between liberal and the conservative factions. Emerging from the liberal tradition with a thorough grounding in nationalist communist ideology, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People's Army (FARC) began its armed insurrection against the Colombian government in 1964. Other left-wing guerrillas emerged as well, most notably the socialist/populist M-19, which would later be integrated into the formal political system in the peace process of 1990s; the National Liberation Army (ELN), which has strong roots in liberation theology, and the Maoist Ejército Popular de Liberación (EPL) (also part of the 1990 process, less successfully). Several stages of peace processes were undertaken by the various sides, which were further complicated by the emergence of right-wing paramilitary ‘self-defence’ forces. The peace agreement between the Colombian government under President Uribe and the main alliance of the paramilitary groups, the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), concluded in 2005 and is still heavily disputed as several remnants are still active, but now subsumed under the heading ‘Bacrim’ (Bandas criminales). In addition, FARC and ELN maintain a military presence, but both demonstrate a strong interest in completing successful peace negotiations with the government, with the most recent agreements being between FARC and the Government.
Stage: Renewal
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: Colombia III - Arango
Parties: National Govt, FARC
Third parties: -
Description: Restatement of commitment to peace and popular participation in process, and to structures facilitating popular participation. SM: this is a review of the last year of negotiation and look forward into the next year, century and millennium in the hope for peace and an affirmation that this process must include all and is not to the benefit of individuals or groups but the nation as a whole. It reaffirms what they expect from the international community and highlight 6 achievements of the last year. Source: Diálogo, negociación y ruptura con las FARC-EP y con el ELN, Biblioteca de la Paz – 1998-2000, Fundación Cultura Democrática, Ed. Álvaro Villarraga Sarmiento, Bogotá D.C., 2009 (book V) p. 191

Agreement document: CO_991219_Comunicado no. 6 de la Mesa de Dialogos y Negociacion - tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CO_991219_Comunicado no. 6 de la Mesa de Dialogos y Negociacion.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: Groups→Religious groups→Rhetorical
Page 2, Article 6,
We reaffirm that the peace process belongs equally to all Colombians, regardless of political, economic, social or religious interests. The interests of the process are the interests of the Colombian people as a whole and do not represent any personal or group interests.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 1, Article 2.2,
As an initial phase, a Common Agenda for the Transition Toward a New Colombia
was agreed by means of dialogue, together with mechanisms for public
participation.

Page 1, Article 2.4,
We have established a National Thematic Committee comprising representatives of
FARC–EP and various sectors that represent the Colombian state to gather and
evaluate proposals from the public, which aim to enrich the terms of the talks and
will be decided on by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation.

Page 2, Article 2.6,
We have agreed the methodology for the negotiation and dialogue process,
together with the procedures and mechanisms to facilitate the public participation.

Page 2, Article 3,
Aware of the historic responsibility to ensure the results of the process, calm and careful consideration has been given to the initial topic to be addressed by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation and which will begin the public audiences. We are making progress toward defining this topic, always keeping the interests of the Colombian people in mind and seeking to facilitate broad public participation.

Page 2, Article 4,
We agree that the participation of the international community is fundamental to the
peace process. We hope for decisive cooperation from the international community,
respecting the principles of non-intervention and the free determination of our people.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 2, Article 5,
We reiterate to the media the importance of keeping the Colombian people and the
international community informed of the development of the peace process via
objective, truthful and impartial information.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 1, Article 2.1,
The establishment of a demilitarised zone as a result of the goodwill of both parties
has allowed fluent dialogue in an atmosphere of trust, respect and tolerance.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, Article 2,
During this year, in spite of the inherent difficulties of such a complex process, we have
made significant and historic progress in the search for national reconciliation. ...

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Source: Diálogo, negociación y ruptura con las FARC-EP y con el ELN, Biblioteca de la Paz – 1998-2000, Fundación Cultura Democrática, Ed. Álvaro Villarraga Sarmiento, Bogotá D.C., 2009 (book V) p. 191

COMMUNICATION NO.

6 OF THE ROUNDTABLE FOR DIALOGUE AND NEGOTIATION:

PEACE IS FOR ALL

19 December 1999

Nearing the end of 1999 and the beginning of a new century and new millennium, optimistic about the peace process and the transformation of Colombia into a state grounded in social justice, the spokespeople for the national government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército Popular, FARC–EP) who form part of the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation declare the following:

We will continue working together in the search for a political solution to the social and armed conflict in order to build a new Colombia via political, economic and social transformations.

During this year, in spite of the inherent difficulties of such a complex process, we have made significant and historic progress in the search for national reconciliation.

We would like to highlight the following achievements:

The establishment of a demilitarised zone as a result of the goodwill of both parties has allowed fluent dialogue in an atmosphere of trust, respect and tolerance.

As an initial phase, a Common Agenda for the Transition Toward a New Colombia was agreed by means of dialogue, together with mechanisms for public participation.

This agreement has allowed us to make progress in the current phase of the process (negotiations), in which we continue to make progress.

We have established a National Thematic Committee comprising representatives of FARC–EP and various sectors that represent the Colombian state to gather and evaluate proposals from the public, which aim to enrich the terms of the talks and will be decided on by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation.

Various communication mechanisms have been established to keep all members of the Colombian public up-to-date with the peace process.

We have agreed the methodology for the negotiation and dialogue process, together with the procedures and mechanisms to facilitate the public participation.

Aware of the historic responsibility to ensure the results of the process, calm and careful consideration has been given to the initial topic to be addressed by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation and which will begin the public audiences.

We are making progress toward defining this topic, always keeping the interests of the Colombian people in mind and seeking to facilitate broad public participation.

We agree that the participation of the international community is fundamental to the peace process.

We hope for decisive cooperation from the international community, respecting the principles of non-intervention and the free determination of our people.

We reiterate to the media the importance of keeping the Colombian people and the international community informed of the development of the peace process via objective, truthful and impartial information.

We reaffirm that the peace process belongs equally to all Colombians, regardless of political, economic, social or religious interests.

The interests of the process are the interests of the Colombian people as a whole and do not represent any personal or group interests.

The National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation is hopeful and optimistic going into the new year, the new century and the new millennium.

We believe in the future of Colombia and communicate to our compatriots our invitation and fervent desire for all to work together to build a fair and peaceful country.

The next meeting will take place on 13 January 2000 in Los Pozos in the municipality of San Vicente del Caguán, the permanent venue for talks and negotiations.

Signatures:

For the Government:

Victor G. Ricardo (High Gommission for Peace), Camilo Gomez Alzate, Fabio Valencia Cossio, Pedro Gomez Barrero, Juan Gabriel Uribe, José Gonzalo Forero Delgadillo.

For the FARC-EP:

Raúl Reyes (FARC-EP Spokesperson), Joaquín Gomez, Fabián Ramirez.