While it is very likely a French government envoy has just met Raul Reyes, the FARC spokesman for the second time with the consent of the Colombian government, FARC has issued a statement through Anncol in which they reject the offer of the Colombian government to have talks in a military school in Bolo Azul and they return to their demand for temporary demilitarisation of two villages in the same region.

The reply to the government offer was formulated on 10 September, signed by the International Committee of FARC and announced yesterday through the ANNCOL website, a press agency that publishes all communications from this guerrilla group.

FARC continue to demand the temporary demilitarisation of Pradera and Florida, villages 280km south -west of Bogotá, rather than accept the offer from the Colombian government who has suggested the suspension of military operations for 10 days in the military base of Bolo Azul, situated in the actual village of Pradera with the safety of guerrilla delegates guaranteed by international organisations.

FARC have also demanded that the demilitarisation be extended to 30 days to guarantee the security of its spokesman.

They also confirm for the international community "their steadfast intention to obtain a humanitarian agreement" in order to exchange politicians, policemen and military personnel held by them, including two American contractors for rebels detained in Colombian jails.

In an unexpected move, they have included on the list of 'exchangeable' in this humanitarian exchange, Francisco Carabello, a fellow rebel leader imprisoned since 1994,sentenced for 38 years having been declared an accessory to the murder in 2002 of Argelino Duran, former Minister for Public Works.