Скачать или смотреть SPAIN: MADRID: GUATEMALAN GOVERNMENT & LEFTIST REBELS SIGN TREATY

(12 Dec 1996) Spanish/Nat

Latin America's longest civil war has ended with a treaty signed by the Guatemalan government and leftist rebels in Madrid on Thursday.

The treaty ends over three decades of hostilities that have claimed over 140-thousand lives.

The actual agreement takes steps to reintegrate the guerillas back into Guatemalan society.

In an emotional ceremony at Spain's Foreign Ministry, Guatemalan rebels and government leaders signed an accord Thursday in aimed at ending 36 years of civil war.

Over the coming year, 3-thousand guerrillas of the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity and 4,500 of their supporters will be given opportunities to get jobs, housing and access to health care.

The rebels will become civilians, and cannot be judged by military tribunals.

Thursday's accord, brokered by the Spanish administration was signed at the Foreign Ministry attended by diplomats and officials from the U-N, U-S, Norway Sweden, Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia who supported the peace efforts.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"Gentlemen of the negotiation committee, gentlemen of the former guerilla of the U-N-R- G, (Union Nacional Revolucionaria de Guatemala) you are about to sign an agreement of utmost importance as this will mean giving up fighting, the fighting that was the only mean to be heard by some of you."
SUPERCAPTION: Abel Matutes, Spanish Foreign Minister

Two other accords signed last week in Stockholm and Oslo establish a cease-fire, recognize indigenous peoples as equals and call for religious tolerance.

Over 140-thousand people were slain in the fighting which turned more than a million people, mostly Indians, into refugees.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"The building of peace is a complex and difficult process, but its difficulties will never match the horrors of this fratricide war."
SUPERCAPTION: Gustavo Porras Castejon, Guatemalan Government Negotiator

For the rebels it is a major step into the peace process as Thursday's accord is meant to help bring them back into society.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"Spain has paid a decisive role in the solution of the peace process, it has permanently maintained its presence in helping and supporting the efforts made by Guatemala to reach a firm and lasting peace."
SUPERCAPTION: U-N-R-G Guerrilla, Spokesman for Pablo Monsanto

All parties agree their work is just beginning and much must be accomplished by the former enemies if the 3-thousand guerillas of the Guatemalan National Revolutionary unity and their 4,500 supporters are to be given serious opportunities to get jobs, housing and health care.

SOUNDBITE:: (Spanish)
Q: Is this really opening the peace path?
A:"We think that as of now we shall start building peace."
SUPERCAPTION: Pablo Monsanto, Guerilla Leader

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"It cost us a lot to reach this peace process, but these accords are not made in a hasty way,. because they were meant by both parts, and this is the most serious guarantee, but this being said, international cooperation will be more than ever necessary because we are now opening a new path."
SUPERCAPTION: Abel Matutes, Spanish Foreign Minister

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
Q: Will they judge the criminals.
"Well I think the agreements signed today will determine what sort of juridical process, following our judicial system will be put in vigor."
SUPERCAPTION: Elia Alvarado, Maya Queen

The final peace treaty, negotiated over seven years, will be signed in Guatemala at the end of December.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...