Colombians may see end to 18 years of conflict

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombians greeted a new prospect for peace when the 11,000-strong paramilitary army known as the Auto Defense Union of Colombia (AUC) offered to cease attacks against enemy armed groups. A document titled “Declaration for the Peace of Colombia” spelled out plans to implement an indefinite, unilateral cessation of hostilities. It asked representatives from evangelical Protestant churches to help negotiate terms of the disarmament. One church leader characterized the invitation, which recognizes the persistent efforts of Christians to bring peace to Colombia, “an extraordinary step in the history of the nation.” The armed conflict has claimed 60,000 lives since 1985, 80 percent of them civilian. Some 2 million people have been forced to abandon their homes, creating the second largest population of internal refugees in the world, after Sudan. “The process of conflict resolution has begun and will take time and effort,” said Richard Luna of the Holland-based SALT Foundation. “Nevertheless, this is a worthwhile effort that will require the active participation of the evangelical church worldwide.”