(13 Jul 1998) Natural Sound
Authorities in Columbia reported on Monday that more than 34 people, including
Marxist rebels and civilians, have died in the latest wave of politically-motivated violence.
The Columbian army says a battle flared when troops moved in to destroy a rebel
camp and a clandestine drug laboratory, capable of producing as 400 kilograms of cocaine a week.
The latest killings come on the second day of peace talks between Colombia civic leaders and rebels in Germany.
The talks in Germany are being held amid growing optimism that Colombia's estimated 20-thousand members of the rebel FARC group are preparing to launch peace negotiations with the incoming government of president-elect Andres Pastrana.
Columbian business, labour and church leaders met for the second day on Monday in the German town of Mainz, with representatives of Columbia's second largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army or E-L-N.
Representatives of both German and Columbian churches are involved in co-ordinating the talks.
It's hoped the German meetings will pave the way for future negotiations.
Both events have increased hopes among Colombians who want an end to the country's civil war.
The E-L-N's main rallying cry has been foreign exploitation of Colombia's natural resources, and it often attacks oil pipelines and kidnaps industry executives.
Based mainly in Colombia's northeast oil-producing regions, the E-L-N's income comes largely from extortion and kidnapping.
It is far less prodigious militarily than the Revoluntary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and is seen as far more likely to be willing to disarm in return for political concessions.
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