HUGO CHÁVEZ, FARC AND THE PROSPECTS FOR PEACE IN COLOMBIA

Early day motion 1758, tabled 11 June 2008 by Colin Burgon (Labour). Signed by 68 members.

That this House welcomes the statement made by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez on 8th June calling on the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to pursue their objectives through exclusively peaceful means and to unilaterally release all the captives they hold; welcomes the attempts that President Chávez has made to mediate in Colombia's ongoing internal conflict, that has so far seen the release of six FARC-held hostages, including five former members of the Colombian Congress and a former vice-presidential candidate; believes that President Chávez's latest proposals could be a positive step towards beginning an inclusive dialogue and moving towards a peace process and peaceful settlement in Colombia; further believes that this would also require the disarmament of right-wing Colombian paramilitary forces and a fundamental change in the approach of the Colombian government away from its dependence on military solutions; and calls on the British Government to engage positively with the government of Hugo Chávez, and others in Latin America, in working towards a peaceful resolution in Colombia.

Signatures by party: Labour 59, Liberal Democrat 4, Conservative 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.