Colombian president calls for greater progress in talks with FARC

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has called for greater progress in talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group to end five decades of internal strife, the chief government negotiator said here Tuesday. "The president is evaluating and will continue to evaluate the talks' progress. The objective of our trip during this round is to make progress, progress, progress towards the outcome," Humberto De la Calle said at the presidential palace in Bogota. The talks have been under way in Havana, Cuba, since November and Santos hopes to conclude them by the end of the year. The two sides have reached a partial agreement on agrarian reform such as land for poor farmers and policies to deal with rural poverty and inequality. They are currently discussing the future political participation of the rebels. The government requests they disarm and form a political party. The other four issues on the agenda -- issues on reparations for victims, the drug trade, how to cease hostilities and implementing peace accords -- are yet to be discussed. According to De la Calle, Santos gave the envoys instructions on how to resume the new round of talks starting this week. "We have received precise instructions from the president. We have been analyzing the various elements that must be taken into consideration in the course of the process," the envoy said.