According to a magazine that has close governmental links, the administration of President Alvaro Uribe would be prepared to begin talks about a peace process with FARC leading to the freeing of at least 62 people kidnapped by them.

Semana magazine, on of the most influential in Colombia, announced that government sources had assured it that Uribe would like to create conditions leading to a meeting of his spokespersons with FARC. FARC have 16000 members in 60 divisions.

According to Semana, Uribe's plan to begin peace negotiations with FARC has been examined with the High Commissioner for Peace. Luis Carlos Rostrepo, and his adviser Fabio Valencia, following his re-election for a new term on 28 May last.

In order to bring both sides closer, it is reported that, the government has asked for backing from former presidential candidate Alvaro Leyva and from Carlos Lozano, editor of the weekly communist paper VOX.

Leyva and Lozano are the two with whom the government would begin the process of getting closer to FARC as it considers that the rebel group has not any objection to these two men.

"The government is prepared to call a special National Assembly to introduce changes that would include social reforms," the magazine revealed.

President Uribe believes that "a peace process is possible that would lead to the freeing of hostages or a freeing of hostages that leads to a peace process", the weekly paper stated.

FARC are holding 21 politicians, 38 members of military/police and three American operatives whim they wish to exchange for 500 imprisoned rebels convicted for various crimes.

"This flexibility claims to have more possibilities, to begin meeting with the rebel group which has shown to be rather inflexible", said the magazine.

Pre-talks proposed by the government could avail of international observers from countries that have already been involved in efforts towards the humanitarian agreement, such as France, Spain and Italy.

But Semana warned it was necessary that the Colombian government be willing to declare that there is indeed an internal conflict in Colombia so as to "coax" FARC and to be ready to demilitarise a zone, as the rebel group demand.

By accepting the existence of an internal conflict and the demilitarisation of a zone in the south of Colombia, to begin negotiations, that is the 'Gordian knot' the government is seeking to untie to have a preliminary meeting with the guerrilla.

Uribe who began his second term of four years in office (2006- 2010) on 7 August last, announced that he would seek a peace agreement with the armed group, but without setting aside his policy on security.

The head of state who put in place a policy of total war against rebels groups claims he can conquer them through military means; he has thus taken steps to strengthen the armed forces, the setting up of a network of informers and also of paid informers.

For 41 years, Colombia has been the victim of an armed struggle between rebels, extreme right - wing paramilitaries, and the forces of the State. This conflict has caused the deaths of 100,000 people, mainly civilians.