Colombia starts a peace process to end half a century of conflict

The government of Colombia and the Farc communist guerrillas begin in the second half of October in Oslo in dialogue to end the armed conflict of 48 years, the longest and is still the only place in the region, said tuesday the president Juan Manuel Santos.

The talks, during which not cease military operations and guerrilla activity, "will begin in Oslo in the first half of October" to move then to Havana, Santos said in a speech to the nation.

These negotiations take unlimited time "is measured in months, not years," he said.

The president said that some initial "exploratory talks" were held for six months in Havana and the two sides signed a framework agreement "has no punt territory and no cessation of military operations".

"Military operations will continue with the same or more intensity," he added.

"This deal is no longer peace, nor is it a final agreement.

It is a road map to precisely define the terms of discussion to reach that final agreement, "said the president.

The process has as guarantors Norway and Cuba, and Venezuela and Chile will act as escorts.

It is expected that by 18:30 GMT Farc delegates in Havana offer a press conference to fix its position.

Santos said his country is facing "a real opportunity" for peace, "because Colombia has changed, and the world has changed."

"Today we can speak of peace because the use of violence to achieve political objectives is long gone.

No country in the region tolerated, and several governors are left behind armed struggle and chose the path of democracy.

Not only Colombia: the entire continent wants to live in peace and supports us in that purpose, "he said.

The framework agreement includes five points: rural development, political participation of the opposition and the new movements, including conflict ended ceasefire and cessation of arms, solving the problem of illicit drugs, and victims' rights.

"We worked seriously and I must admit that the Farc. 

All that has been agreed so far, has been respected.

If the Farc address the next phase with the same seriousness, have good prospects, "said Santos.

In his speech, Santos asked the Colombian "temperance, patience and fortitude" to the possibility that the guerrillas continue in their attacks, and "drive so that the dream of living in peace finally becomes a reality."

The Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), founded in 1964 and currently have some 9,200 guerrillas, are the oldest guerrilla group in Latin America.

In Colombia is also active Guevara guerrilla National Liberation Army (ELN), with about 2,500 fighters.

Since the 1.980, the Farc and three times engaged in peace negotiations with the successive governments of Colombia, but without reaching an agreement now.