ICRC says willing to mediate peace between Colombian gov't, guerrilla group

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ICRC says willing to mediate peace between Colombian gov't, guerrilla group

(Xinhua) 11:27, August 30, 2013

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BOGOTA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Jordi Raich, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said Wednesday that the relief agency is willing to facilitate possible peace talks between the Colombian government and the guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN).

"The ICRC is willing to provide all kind of facilitation in long processes when it is asked by the two parties," said Raich.

Raich promises that the role of the ICRC is "intermediary neutral" and it is ready to carry out any action requested by both parties.

Raich made the statement following Tuesday's release of the Canadian engineer Jernoc Worbert by the ELN after seven months' captivity.

Leader of ELN, Nicolas Rodriguez, alias "Gabino," said the Canadian citizen's release is a humanitarian gesture that shows willingness of the ELN to undertake peace talks.

However, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos demanded the release of all hostages held by the ELN as a precondition to start peace talks with the rebel group.

Actually, the Colombian government has been in peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Havana, Cuba, since November, 2012. The ELN is the second largest guerrilla group in Colombia, after the FARC.

（Editor：YanMeng、Liang Jun）