SG/SM/8097
15 January 2002

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPEALS FOR FURTHER EFFORTS
TO RESOLVE CRISIS IN COLOMBIAN PEACE TALKS

NEW YORK, 14 January (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Over the weekend, the Secretary-General was in direct contact with several regional leaders, as well as President Pastrana, about the situation in Colombia. The Secretary-General strongly appeals to the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to make every effort, even at this late stage, to seek a solution to the present crisis in the peace talks that would permit them to renew their negotiations.

The Secretary-General’s Acting Special Adviser, James LeMoyne, is still in the FARC zone, at the request of the parties. The Secretary-General appreciates the strong support that the 10 facilitating countries and the Catholic Church are extending to his good offices and to Mr. LeMoyne.

The Secretary-General again emphasises that all measures must be taken to protect the civilian population in the zone. He urges the parties to reach a humanitarian accord that would ensure the respect for international humanitarian law in order to provide such protection.

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