Latin Leaders Plan to Aid Colombia

Posted on Fri, May. 23, 2003 EDUARDO GALLARDO Associated Press

CUZCO, Peru - Latin American leaders on Friday considered a plan for stepped up U.N. efforts to end to Colombia's four-decade guerrilla rebellion.

Presidents and government officials from 19 nations gathering in this historic city in the high Andes - the former center of Inca culture - focused on a peace proposal for Colombia that also included greater cooperation among Latin nations.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said the plan asks that the United Nations arrange a cease-fire between the government the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, then bring the rebels into "serious peace talks."

"If the guerrillas do not accept (the plan), then let the entire world help us end this conflict. All countries could help Colombia to defeat militarily terrorism," Uribe said.

Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, opening the Group of Rio summit, announced the plan as part of an all-out war against terrorism and drug trafficking, which he said seriously threatens democracy in Latin America.

The countries were represented by 11 presidents and eight vice presidents and foreign ministers.

Uribe warned that guerrilla violence was already spilling across the borders of Colombia's neighboring countries, especially Ecuador and Venezuela.

Toledo said his government supports the plan.

"You are not alone, my friend... Here you have sister nations that are prepared to help in whatever manner needed," Toledo said.

The audience of applauded his remarks.