UN chief concerned at current escalation of fighting in Colombia

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Thursday said that he "is concerned by the current upsurge in fighting in Colombia following a welcome period of de- escalation in the armed conflict," and encouraged the Colombian parties to seek peace through negotiations.

Ban "encourages the parties to the Havana talks and the Colombian people to remain hopeful and to persist in the search for peace," said a statement issued here by his spokesman.

In April, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos declared a one- month halt in air-force bombings against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas. That concession came after the rebels declared a unilateral and indefinite ceasefire in December that, despite scattered skirmishes, authorities say is being honored.

In May, skirmishes have ramped up in Colombia since the FARC abandoned its ceasefire against the Colombian government, raising the stakes on tense peace negotiations aimed at ending the longest war in the West hemisphere.

"The secretary-general commends the parties for the important progress they have made thus far in negotiations, a process that has brought the country closer to peace," the statement said. "He is confident they can overcome the current impasse and bring the process to a successful conclusion."

Meanwhile, the secretary-general "further calls on the parties to resume the path toward de-escalation and accelerate the pace of the negotiations in order to restore momentum and public confidence in the process."

"He firmly believes that peace is possible as long as Colombians can put this goal above all others and find ways to overcome their differences, both in Havana and in Colombia," the statement said.

The secretary-general reiterated the continued commitment of the United Nations to support all efforts toward durable peace in Colombia, the statement added. Endite