Colombian president opens door to popular vote on FARC peace deal

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Colombian president opens door to popular vote on FARC peace deal
Helen Murphy
Reuters
5:32 p.m. EST, January 16, 2013

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Wednesday opened the door to a popular vote on any peace accord negotiated and signed with FARC rebels, but rejected a guerrilla demand to change the constitution if a deal is clinched.

Talks to bring an end to Latin America's longest-running insurgency began in Cuba in November, when the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, sat down for the first round of a five-point peace agenda.

Ivan Marquez, head of the Marxist FARC negotiating team, has called for a national assembly to change Colombia's constitution and ensure any agreements would be set in stone.

The drug-funded group, which has fought successive governments since 1964 and killed tens of thousands, reiterated their demand on Tuesday. But Santos rejected the idea.

Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-colombia-rebels-talksbre90f1ig-20130116,0,1288598.story

[bemildred]

1. As long as they keep talking.

I have a feeling I know how that referendum would go after 50 years of war.

[AlphaCentauri]

2. A chance for Colombians to decide their future n/t

[Comrade Grumpy]

3. I'm glad to see the process continue.