President Obama welcomes Colombian president Santos' plans for peace talks

U.S. President Barack Obama welcomes Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos’ announcement of a framework for peace negotiations between his government and the FARC, the White House said Tuesday. In a statement, the White House quoted Obama as saying the “Santos administration has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to seeking a durable peace and ensuring a better life for all Colombians through its security and social inclusion policies.” According to the White House, the framework for negotiations could set the stage for the promise of ending the 50-year conflict between the Colombian government and the FARC. “President Obama welcomes President Santos’ deep commitment to working for peace and recognizes the courage and sacrifice of successive Colombian governments - and most especially of the Colombian people - in achieving this milestone. The FARC should now take this opportunity to end its decades of terrorism and narcotics trafficking, and allow the Colombian people to continue building a democratic, prosperous, and just society,” the White House said. “As the Santos administration works toward a resolution of the conflict, the United States reaffirms its longstanding defense and security partnership with Colombia and its commitment to work with Colombia to promote citizen security, respect for human rights, and economic prosperity for all its people,” the statement said.