The High Commissioner for Peace, Luis Carlo Rostrepo is not too concerned by the latest statement of FARC; he states the last reply from FARC shows that they are not yet mature enough to seek a solution by dialogue. "As far as the government is concerned it is continuing to look for a conclusion to a humanitarian agreement by holding firmly to its offer of a 10-day meeting in Bolo Azul.

In his opinion, FARC will eventually progress from seeking at all costs to prove that the Uribe government is a failure to the realisation that negotiations are the only way out of armed conflict.

He calmly assures that negotiations with ELN are going well.

Rafel Quintero Cerón (journalist with Colprensa) interviewed the Commissioner:

After the FARC statement, what is the next step for the government?

We insist on our offer of talks in Bolo Azul, because it is a good viable offer. If we were to agree to the demilitarisation of two districts, this would hamper talks on the humanitarian accord because FARC would consolidate in this district and would impose such impossible conditions that there would be no alternative but to extend the demilitarised zone.

Some observers state that the government is in a hurry to make an offer that should have been treated in a discreet manner…

We have great difficulty in making headway with FARC. We communicate through mediators - whom they have made wait for months and by means of the Church - whom they have not wished to meet since December 2003. That is why we have been trying recently to re-open channels to proceed but they refuse to do this. The important thing is that our position has been set out, it is practical, reasonable and safe.

Do you think FARC have a wish for peace?

That will come! They are trying to show that the policy of Democratic Security is a failure and attempt to oppose the re-election of Alvaro Uribe. These are their two big obsessions and if this organisation insists so much on opposing the State it is because it has not yet reached maturity that would allow them to seek a political solution.

So they are not many possibilities of reaching an agreement with them?

FARC are experiencing a weakness in their base and at middle management level, there has also been some friction among their leaders. That is why, by continuing the policy of Democratic Security and through our offer of a resolution through talks, we will find a way towards worthwhile negotiations without repeating previous mistakes because talks that are used to strengthen the guerrilla are a failure.