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Semana interviewed Raul Reyes the second in command of FARC, shortly after the video message he had just sent to participants in the Biarritz Forum in Bogotá. On the video he spoke of his meetings with French government envoys and the state of talks with the Colombian government, which in his view, are in a state of deadlock.

"Several times we met French government envoys who were interested in the humanitarian agreement. They offered their help and FARC who are also interested, are willing to meet them as often as it will be necessary as well as delegates from other governments, personalities or friends who seek a political solution to the crisis affecting our country."

SEMANA: Many critics state that France is only interested in the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt.

RAUL REYES; It is natural that the French government is interested in Mrs Betancourt, as she is a French national. But at the moment, they seek the signing of an agreement that would give freedom to all exchangeable prisoners.

SEMANA: Is it true that France suggested the Colombian government and FARC representatives meet in the Paris area?

R.R. We will see what the Secretariat decides. It is FARC policy that talks take place on Colombian soil. However we examine gratefully all proposals that might lead to an agreement or to the liberation of prisoners.

SEMANA: However, the meetings you had with the French were criticised by the government and a protest was made in which France was accused of interfering in Colombian internal affairs.

R.R.: That showed that the Colombian government is not interested in the exchange. By this action, President Uribe shows that he is interested in war and his plans to free hostages through force.

SEMANA: Aren't FARC about to meet French government envoys soon?

R.R.: FARC are always willing to meet envoys from the French government and those of other governments, as well as other personalities who would be interested in the agreement. FARC is not worried by whatever the President says because we are in political opposition to him. We feel no obligations to the laws of the Colombian state against which we are opposed militarily.

SEMANA: As well as the French proposal, what are the possibilities of advance talks outside the country?

R.R.: For the moment it is not our policy to leave Colombia. And it is even less likely since some governments have given in to pressure from Uribe and Bush by including us on their list of terrorist organisations. This prevents our spokesmen leaving the country.

SEMANA; So what is the state of the humanitarian agreement?

R.R.: It is deadlocked, in so far as the government shows no interest in facilitating the exchange of prisoners. FARC have asked for control of the villages of Pradera and Florida but the government refuses. As long as there is no guarantee of security, FARC personnel cannot get to this location to discuss the agreement. All meetings must be preceded by the demilitarisation of the zone in question, because we have no confidence in the government.

SEMANA; What happened to the proof of life? Will some of these be available soon? By not revealing if the hostages are alive, isn't that an obstacle?

R.R: Problems have not been caused by FARC but by military operations that cause difficulties and risks for the hostages who are being brought to places where proof of survival can be provided. For the moment we have not got conditions to provide these proofs. But all hostages are well.

SEMANA: Recently the Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice and former president Clinton mentioned Colombia and its policy of 'democratic security' as an example to be used against terrorism in Iraq. What is your opinion of that?

R.R.: It is disinformation. What they are saying shows that they know nothing about what is happening here.

SEMANA: It has been stated in several newspapers in Ecuador that there could be an advance agreement with the government of this country in order to free some hostages Is this true?

R.R.: No, it is not true.

SEMANA: The same media announced the destruction of a FARC camp by Ecuadorian soldiers in that country.

R.R.: This is true. It was a small camp beside the river. That is all I know. It was located in a border area. A considerable section of the San Miguel river forms the border with Ecuador. When Ecuadorian troops arrived, the guerrillas returned immediately to Colombia.

SEMANA: Is it true that cocaine was found in this camp?

R.R.: It is not true. I spoke to the leaders who were there and they told me that all that was there was a kilo of lime to clean insect bites.

SEMANA: Is it true that they left a note addressed to Ecuadorian troops.

R.R.: That is true. We left a message for the government of Ecuador stating that FARC respect its territory and that they would not carry out any operations outside of Colombia.

SEMANA: But troops have said that it was from there that the attack against the Teteyé Base was organised.

R.R.: That is false.

SEMANA: Are you preparing attacks from Ecuador?

.R.R: We have never done that. Colombia is a country of more than a million square kilometres: there is plenty of space there to do what we have to do.

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