(6 May 1998) Spanish/Nat
The Red Cross is using the upcoming World Cup as the main vehicle in a nationwide peace campaign in Colombia.
Posters and television advertisements carrying the slogan "Play Fair" were launched in Bogota on Tuesday, one month before the start of the football tournament.
The Red Cross hopes the peace campaign will help persuade Colombia's guerrillas and paramilitary fighters to respect human rights.
The full slogan used by the Red Cross reads:
"Play Fair! Don't Foul! Respect the civilian population, the Red Cross emblem and the lives of combatants out of combat. Respect the rules of international humanitarian law."
The slogan has been lifted from the International Soccer Federation (FIFA) which wants violent players to cut down on their sometimes violent behaviour at international matches.
But the message from the Red Cross is being sent to a different audience.
The Red Cross' leader of the media campaign is optimistic that guerrillas and paramilitary groups will get the message.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"Yes, we are sure that the message will get across. We are sure that the International Committee of the Red Cross has covered much ground with this project and that the armed sectors in this country will be informed by television, radio or news broadcasts - that is to say it is not a worry of ours that the message will not get across - the main question is that whether attitudes will change - and that is the main motive behind this campaign - to change attitudes and to begin to respect the international rules for human rights - and that I think is the duty, not only of the committee, but the of all Colombians - we are all interested in changing the chaos of this country and to look for a solution."
SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Rios, International Red Cross Committee and campaign leader
UPSOUND: (Spanish)
"In any conflict, we all want to win. Do not play dirty or foul. Respect the rules of war. Play Fair."
SUPER CAPTION: Red Cross Television Advertisement "Play Fair"
The International Committee of the Red Cross hopes that Colombia's rebel forces will take the appeal seriously and begin to respect the rights of the individual.
35-thousand civilians and fighters have been killed by guerrillas, paramilitary fighters and armed forces over the last decade.
Over one (m) million peasants have had to leave their homes in areas which have become too dangerous to live in.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
The campaign has as its logo 'Play Fair' and it is mostly aimed at the sectors at the centre of armed conflicts. It is an invitation to respect the rules of war. It is the duty of every one to make the conflict a more humane one."
SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Rios, International Red Cross Committee and campaign leader
At least 21 people were killed on Monday, when about 200 gunmen opened fire on a remote village in south-central Colombia.
The gunmen, suspected paramilitary fighters, also burned homes and businesses and bombed the lone landing strip that serves the village.
It was the second massacre in Colombia in two weeks.
Only a week ago, 22 villagers from the Antioquia province were massacred by right-wing armed forces.
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