FLASH NEWS from COMPASS DIRECT Global News from the Frontlines ********** ARMED GROUP OFFERS TRUCE IN COLOMBIA Paramilitary Organization Asks Christian Churches to Help Negotiate Peace Agreement by David Miller MIAMI, November 29 (Compass) -- Welcome news is coming out of Colombia today. The 11,000-strong paramilitary army known as the Auto Defense Union of Colombia (AUC) has announced its intention to make peace with the government and cease attacks against insurgents of the Army of National Liberation (ELN) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). In a document entitled "Declaration for the Peace of Colombia" delivered to Roman Catholic Cardinal Pedro Rubiano and the Commission for Peace, AUC commanders spelled out plans to implement an indefinite, unilateral cessation of hostilities. Furthermore, the AUC is asking that representatives from Roman Catholic and Protestant churches help negotiate terms of the disarmament. The invitation, which one church leader characterized as "an extraordinary step in the history of the nation" recognizes the persistent efforts of Christian leaders to bring peace to troubled Colombia. The armed conflict has claimed 60,000 lives since 1985, eighty percent of them civilian, according to Amnesty International. Some two million people have been forced to abandon their homes due to fighting, creating the second largest population of internal refugees in the world, after Sudan. Violence escalated sharply last February when peace talks broke down between the government and FARC. But the situation could improve significantly if the peace deal between the AUC and the government of Colombian president Alvaro Uribe takes hold. Although the AUC will not disarm its troops immediately -- the truce offer stipulates that paramilitary units reserve the right to defend themselves if attacked by enemy forces -- Hector Pardo, president of the Evangelical Council of Colombia (CEDECOL), believes the initiative is a definite step in the right direction. "We see it as very positive for various reasons. The fact that they are implementing a cessation of hostilities disarms a rationalization used by the FARC, who say the AUC is an element that makes it impossible for the FARC to negotiate a peace treaty." In addition to representatives of Catholic and Protestant churches, the AUC has appealed to the United Nations and the Organization of American States to mediate disarmament talks. Negotiators will have to sort through several delicate details to reach an agreement. For instance, the AUC has agreed to withdraw from areas of the country they currently control only if government forces reestablish public security in those sectors. They also pledge to surrender territory where coca leaf is grown. Coca, the raw material for producing cocaine, helps finance AUC military operations. In return, the paramilitaries are asking the government to drop criminal charges against AUC members, a concession that amounts to amnesty for war criminals as well as drug dealers. The group's two top commanders, Carlos Castaño and Salvatore Mancuso, are currently under indictment by the U.S. for narcotics trafficking. If authorities agree, the paramilitaries say they will support programs to substitute legitimate crops for coca and help rebuild the public infrastructure. AUC commanders point out that, unlike their adversaries, they have never ordered the destruction of roads, bridges or power grids. The risks are great that the process will stall and peace will once more elude Colombia. An even greater risk is that the FARC and ELN will take the chance to step up attacks, retaliating against those who support negotiations with the AUC. Ricardo Esquivia, chairman of the CEDECOL Human Rights and Peace Commission, has had contact with all the armed groups over the years because of his work defending evangelical churches caught between opposing forces. He points out that, despite accusations to the contrary, evangelicals have been careful to maintain strict neutrality in the conflict. "This same opportunity that we have to participate in the peace process with the AUC, we have requested from the ELN and FARC," Esquivia said. "As Christians, taking a step in favor of peace always has its risks," Pardo added. "What we need now is prudence. Although we want to help (the AUC), we do not have an exclusive commitment to them. Our commitment is to the Kingdom of God." In October, CEDECOL launched a nationwide peace initiative it calls "One Million Craftsmen for Peace, Life and Non-violence" (See Compass Direct, September 20, 2002). This effort to build peace on principals of the Bible, Pardo and Esquivia believe, is the best hope for their troubled homeland. "The fundamentals of One Million Peacemakers are found in the words of Jesus: 'blessed are the peacemakers.'" Pardo said. "It means taking a step to build together the country we dream of. We've been called to do this." In the "Declaration of Peace" document, the AUC appealed for broad support for the peace effort from "those expressions of faith united in the national and international movement of Christian churches." "May God illuminate all Colombians and all good friends of peace that Colombia has gained in the world!" the communiqué said. Evert Schut and Richard Luna, representing the Netherlands-based SALT Foundation, have accepted the invitation. In November, Schut and Luna joined Esquivia, Pardo and other Colombian evangelical leaders in meetings with AUC representatives to learn details of the declaration and encourage the peace process. "The invitation of the AUC gives the evangelical church a window of opportunity to become an active participant in the peace process," Schut said. "I appeal to all other military factions in this conflict -- which has caused so many casualties -- to follow this courageous step so that a meaningful and constructive peace process can be started that will benefit the people of Colombia." Pardo echoed that appeal, adding, "This is an urgent call, to the entire international Christian community, to every church in every land. Unite with us in prayer. And, in those moments when we need your presence, please stand with us." END ********** Copyright 2002 Compass Direct Compass Direct Flash News is distributed as available to raise awareness of Christians worldwide who are persecuted for their faith. 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