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The idea that seems to have some support from the two parties is the creation of an operations center to collect the citizens'proposals. This center would be in San Vicente del Caguan and have free postal service and fax facilities to receive the ideas. 
 

EL TIEMPO [Bogota]
Tuesday, 2 Novemebr 1999
 

Proposals for citizens' participation in government-FARC talks mooted 

SAN VINCENTE DEL CAGUAN, Colombia -- A proposal containing guidelines allowing citizens to take part in the peace process will be analysed today by negotiators of the government and the FARC [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia] during the second meeting of the negotiations' working table.

The creation of an office to collect the recommendations of civil society and the possibility that members of FARC could attend public hearings in various areas of the country are among the issues that the negotiators will discuss.

These ideas aim to consolidate a working method for the National Topics Committee, which will channel the proposals made by the Colombian people. This office will present a list of topics for the consideration of the negotiators, and the committee will in turn decide which ones deserve to be discussed at the negotiating table.

Interior Minister Nestor Humberto Martinez said: "The most important thing henceforth is the participation of citizens, because it will legitimize the negotiations in Caguan." The minister met in the demilitarized area yesterday with "Ivan Rios" , the FARC coordinator in the Public Hearings Committee.

The meeting started at midday yesterday and official results were expected in the evening. The meeting was held outside the urban area of San Vicente del Caguan, apparently in La Machaca.

Minutes before his meeting with "Ivan Rios" , the minister said that the "public hearings will be transparent and promote participation" . The government has proposed that these forums could be held in several capital cities but the FARC has expressed concerns about the safety of its spokesmen, who would have to travel to those places.

The idea that seems to have some support from the two parties is the creation of an operations center to collect the citizens'proposals. This center would be in San Vicente del Caguan and have free postal service and fax facilities to receive the ideas.

This center would also offer an Internet site to collect the ideas of Colombians living abroad. A commission made up of government and FARC representatives would manage this office.

Government negotiator Senator Fabio Valencia pointed out that " although a draft method will be analysed, the most important thing about this new meeting of negotiators is that it will ratify the determination to make progress with the peace process."

During this meeting they will also try to decide whether the negotiating table should meet once a week or every fortnight. The idea is to define specific rules of the game to consolidate dates for future meetings.

The third meeting of the negotiating table is expected to take place in Vistahermosa (Meta). The change in venues aims to make residents of the demilitarized area feel the government's presence.

Meanwhile, residents of San Vicente have expressed their opinions about the date established for the end of the demilitarized zone, that is, 7th December.

Priest Carlos Aponte, coordinator of the Children's Citadel, a shelter for low-income peasants, said: "The demilitarized area started a year ago and the government has made many mistakes, especially as regards education and road-building. Funds to meet those needs have not been delivered."