FARC will not give up arms

The Colombian militia group usually known by the acronym FARC says it will not give up armed violence until the country undergoes a "profound transformation." The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -- People's Army promised not to hold talks with the government "behind the people's back," Colombia Reports said Monday. A statement signed by FARC's seven-member secretariat was posted on its Web site. FARC, founded nearly 50 years ago, says it has a left-wing agenda. The group gets money by kidnapping and large-scale drug trafficking. In its communique, the group accused the Colombian government of being a tool of the United States. The statement said: "It is clear FARC-EP will not betray the heritage of our founders and martyrs. Nor will we turn the back on the poor people of our country who are feeling the effects of this arrogance day after day, the plundering and the terror on the behalf of the Colombian state. On one morning 48 years ago, the heroic peasants of Marquetalia decided to take up arms and dream of the people taking power. The fighters ratify once again we will never give up our dreams for an undignified surrender and disarmament. Only a profound transformation of our country's living conditions could facilitate and guarantee peace."