AUGUST 23
1. CU EPL members carrying weapons, standing behind table. 0.03
2. CU John Agudelo Rios speaking. (SOT) (2 SHOTS) 0.22
3. CU Ernesto Rojas speaking, as members listen with Rios. (SOT) (3 SHOTS) 0.49
4. SV & CU Applause as Agudelo and Rojas sign document. (4 SHOTS) 1.00
5. CU M-19 badge on members' arm. 1.05
6. SV & CU M-19 members with guns at signing ceremony. (3 SHOTS) 1.14
7. SV M-19 members and government officials sign truce. 1.40
AUGUST 26
8. GV PULL BACK Drawing of drove - peace symbol. (3 shots) 1.46
9. GV People at peace celebration in streets. (2 SHOTS) 1.52
10. SV PAN People carrying mock coffin with 'violence' written on side. 2.08
11. CU & SV Peace celebration in streets. (3 SHOTS) 2.21
12. GV Kite flying in Colombian flag colours with dove overprinted ZOOM BACK TO crowd in street. 2.26
InitialsBB/JRS


Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: MEDELLIN & BOGOTA, COLOMBIA

Thousands of Colombian stock to the streets of the capital, Bogota, on August 26 to celebrate the signing of two peace treaties which should bring peace to the country after twenty years of guerrilla war. Colombia's left-wing Popular Liberation Army (EPL) signed a truce with the government on August 23. EPL military commanders and government peace commission officials signed the pact in Medellin, 450 kilometres north-east of Bogota. The ceasefire officially comes into effect on August 30. The commission also signed a truce on August 24 with the powerful M-19 rebel group, following a peace agreement in May with the most influential of the rebels, the 12,000-strong Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC). The truces have been President Belisario Betancur's principle objective since he took office two years ago, promising to end the political violence which has claimed about 30,000 lives. At the signing of the EPL truce, rebel Commander Ernesto Rojas said he hoped the government would not betray his organisation. Colombians, overjoyed at hue prospect of peace, held celebrations all over the country. Artists painted doves, symbols of peace, on walls and pavements, and balloons and white doves were set free at football matches. In the jungle towns, former guerrillas and government officials from the national peace commission joined in the festivities. The pro-Cuban National Liberation Army (ELN) is the only guerrilla force to reject the peace overtures of President Betancur. It has vowed to continue its campaign of violence. In an address to the nation,the president said bullets had never achieved anything in Colombia and that the truce was the first step to national peace.

Source: ALVARO HENRIQUEZ