Government negotiators presented Colombian rebels with a timetable to discuss ceasefire and hostilities, in a second day of talks aimed at beating a crucial Sunday deadline.
The race against time requires an agreement by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to key government objectives in order for them to keep control of their safe haven in southern Colombia, where talks are going on.
Outlining details of the schedule at the end of a second day of talks yesterday, peace commissioner Mr Camilo Gomez said: "The government presented a timetable to seek a reduction in the intensity of the conflict and to move forward with the discussion about a ceasefire and an end to hostilities."
Negotiators from 10 friendly nations stepped in to help revive the talks Monday, after the government of President Andres Pastrana threatened to send government troops into the Switzerland-sized rebel safe haven.
Mr Gomez said the timetable contained "specific dates" that FARC negotiators Mr Raul Reyes and Mr Joaquin Gomez would take back to their comrades in arms to study.
Hours earlier President Pastrana had insisted the rebels must cease their armed activities and that before Sunday a program for negotiations had to be in place, otherwise the safe haven status of the zone here would be allowed to expire.
"We lost more than 94 days to make headway on those issues, and now we have just three or four days left," President Pastrana stressed, noting that in the absence of a deal allowing a "rapid advance in talks," the demilitarized status of the zone would be curtailed.
Public opinion has hardened against the FARC, with candidates for the May presidential elections putting further emphasis this week on a ceasefire and an end to abductions.
AFP