Bogota/Bonn - A Colombian Marxist rebel group and its arch-enemy, the ultra-right death squads, both said yesterday they were ready to open peace talks with the government.
The National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia's second largest guerrilla army, and the paramilitary alliance known as the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) said they were ready to start negotiations with the incoming government of president-elect Andres Pastrana.
But they said they would not lay down their weapons in the short term, and refused to negotiate with each other. Earlier yesterday, other ELN representatives signed a framework agreement in Wurzburg, Germany, with Colombian business, labour and religious leaders outlining a peace programme.