FARC rebels have insisted on the point that a meeting with the Colombian government to discuss a" humanitarian agreement" will not be possible unless the villages of Pradera and Florida in the Vallee department, are demilitarised for one month.

So stated Raul Reyes, spokesman for the FARC in reply to a questionnaire put to him by a journalist from the "Noticias Unios" TV programme.

FARC are insistent; they state if there is no demilitarisation for 30 days in these two villages, the meeting between the spokespersons of this group and the representatives of the government to discuss a " humanitarian agreement ", will not be possible.

The rebel group reiterates its decision to bring about the "exchange" but always under conditions announced in its statements and public letters.

Lat week, President Uribe had agreed that the Catholic Church would undertake " pre-dialogue talks" with both FARC and ELN.

Uribe, who has not yet laid down conditions, expressed confidence that these talks about talks would lead to a cessation in hostilities and stated again that the rebels would have their security guaranteed for meetings that would take place.

FARC are prepared to exchange 60 of their hostages called 'exchangables', kidnapped by their various units among whom are politicians such as the presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, soldiers, policemen and three Americans fro 500 rebels currently in prison in Colombia.