September 17

FARC invites Chávez to meet next October 8
Rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) proposed Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez to hold a meeting next October 8 in a place yet to be determined, in order to talk about a likely swap of hostages for guerrilla troops under arrest, on September 16 said daily newspaper El Tiempo.

Based on the report, the invitation came in a video footage that was delivered to Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba during a meeting she held with FARC spokesman Raúl Reyes last September 13-14 in Colombian forest, AFP explained.

In his message to Chávez, FARC spokesman suggested holding one or two meetings before Chávez and FARC top leader Manuel Marulanda (alias "Tirofijo") meet, but he would not propose any place. The first meeting would take place next October 8, on the 40th anniversary of Ernesto Che Guevara's death.

Araújo told France Chávez is the channel to negotiate with FARC
Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Fernando Araújo said he explained the French government that it was necessary "to have only one channel for negotiations" with rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC), and that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has been designated as such.

In an interview published September 17 by Italian daily newspaper "Corriere della Sera," as quoted by Efe, Araújo clarified that "Chávez has been authorized by the President of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe, to receive in Venezuela a member of the guerrillas and launch negotiations."

The Colombian minister stressed that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is not taking part in any negotiation with FARC, but "he is attentive" to any development, Araújo added.

The diplomat explained that during his latest visit to France he told Sarkozy's administration that it was "necessary to have one single channel for negotiations with FARC, and that such channel was opened for Chávez."

Pro-government PPT party rails on Uribe's position concerning Chávez' mediation
Deputy José Luis Pirela, for pro-government Patria para Todos (PPT) party, criticized September 17 the position taken by Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, with regard to the potential mediation of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in the talks between the Colombian government and the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC).

In his view, the PPT board regards as "inconvenient" the remarks made by President Uribe in relation to "the base of this process."

"We reject the Colombian president's stance on this matter. We are not asking Uribe to go to a FARC camp, but he cannot dare say that there is no a millimeter of détente to start talks," he added.

The PPT leader thinks that the meetings could be held anywhere, including Colombia, France, Cuba, Nicaragua or Venezuela. However, he maintained that the Colombian territory would be most appropriate for the talks.

September 19

Colombian Senator anticipates potential Chávez-Marulanda meeting
Piedad Córdoba, Colombian Senator and middle-woman appointed for a settlement with the guerrillas said that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez would probably meet with Manuel Marulanda, the head of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC), subsequent to a meeting to be held next October 8th in Caracas with FARC delegates.

The lawmaker is certain that President Chávez will help clear the way for a pacification deal in Colombia, because for FARC, the president is "dependable, trustworthy" and they share most of the socialist actions in Venezuela, DPA quoted.

"They regard President Chávez as a beacon that lights up this entire road and this entire course that goes beyond, as they say, the humanitarian agreement. This helps envisage an eventual peace agreement where President Chávez would play a very important and outstanding role in Colombia," she told Unión Radio.

Lula, Chávez to deal with Colombian conflict
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will meet on September 20 in Manaos, northern Brazil, to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including Chávez mediation for a swap of hostages held by the guerrillas for imprisoned rebels in Colombia, AFP reported.

The presidents will "exchange ideas on the political situation, particularly in Latin America. In this context, President Chávez' efforts at mediation in Colombia were noteworthy," said Marcelo Baumbach, spokesman of the Brazilian President.

Brazil "supports the performance of President Chávez for a dialogue between the Colombian government and (Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces) FARC," said the official.

Chávez is trying to get a settlement to release 45 people kidnapped by FARC in exchange of imprisoned guerrilla members.

Chávez, Lula to discuss humanitarian swap
The presidents of Venezuela and Brazil, Hugo Chávez and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, respectively, are meeting September 20 in Manaos, north Brazil, to address a number of bilateral issues, including Caracas mediation in a likely humanitarian swap of hostages for detained guerrilla troops in Colombia.

The two rulers are to "exchange idea about the political situation, particularly in Latin America. In this connection, I would like to highlight the efforts President Chávez is making as a mediator in Colombia," said Brazilian president's official spokesman Marcelo Baumbach.

Brazil "endorses President Chávez' role as a facilitator of talks between the government of Colombia and the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC)," he added.

"Brazil trusts President Chávez as a mediator in this conflict. Actually, (Brazil) has suggested the possibility that some meetings are held in Brazilian soil," the spokesman announced.

Lula in Manaos is also meeting with Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa. The three rulers are to attend a dinner party together.

Last September 16 Chávez suggested he would resume the issue of the Southern Gas Pipeline with Lula.

September 21

Chávez: Uribe and Marulanda "have decisions in their hands"
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez September 21 said his Colombian counterpart Álvaro Uribe and rebel FARC leader Manuel Marulanda Vélez "have decisions in their hands" that are critical for a successful mediation seeking release of the hostages held by FARC, Efe reported.

"Uribe has decisions in his hands (...) Marulanda also has decisions in his hands. I do not," Chávez told reporters in Manaos, Brazil, where he explained that his role as a middleman "is making moves between them both and propose the choices."
 
He said that such "decisions" both Uribe and Marulanda have in their hands "could be taken by listening to the outcry of the Colombian people and beyond."

"With due respect for the players," Chávez said, "the so-called unmovable stances will have to be reconsidered" in order to achieve the release of the 45 people FARC are holding hostage.

He added he expects meeting with an envoy of Marulanda, but said he did not know whether it was Raúl Reyes or "one or several members of FARC Secretariat."

Chávez ratified the meeting would be held in Venezuela, but did not confirm the date of October 8 nor the place.

The Venezuelan ruler said his Brazilian and Ecuadorian counterparts Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Rafael Correa, on September 21 strongly supported his efforts of mediation.