BOGOTA — Juan Manuel Santos was sworn in as Colombia's new president Saturday and immediately offered talks to heal a diplomatic rift with Venezuela, and to end 40 years of FARC rebel warfare provided they first disarm.
Santos, 58, is the chosen successor of conservative President Alvaro Uribe, who leaves office with an 80-percent approval rating after a major crackdown on rebel violence and an adversarial relation with leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
"I prefer a frank and direct dialogue (with Venezuela), hopefully as soon as possible," Santos said after thanking countries who offered mediation in the row with Caracas over Uribe's accusations that FARC rebels have found safe haven in Venezuela.
In his swearing in ceremony before a host of world leaders and top officials, including Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, Santos said talks with Colombia's neighbor must evolve "within a framework of mutual respect, cooperation... and a strong stand against crime.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jcEajJRDaolFjveMHmc1UD4jq0BAmore at link
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
