Former President of South Africa, Frederik de Klerk, called on the FARC
to show ‘gestures of peace’ and to release all hostages unilateral in order to
negotiate reconciliation.
De Klerk was the central speaker of ‘Leadership Forum for Peace’, where he talked about the process which ended the apartheid regime in South Africa and established democracy with all its rights and also duties for all political and social parties and sectors.
He acknowledged that Colombia could apply some of their experiences, although he emphasized that “there is no magic formula” for countries in conflict, adn.es quoted him Monday.
In any confrontation to be resolved, it is necessary to “establish trust between the parties” and to hold dialogues, the former South African President said.
He indicated that the manifestations of the FARC to release some of their hostages and “unilateral gestures of (Colombian) President Uribe” to reach a negotiation of releasing captives could lead to a peace process.
In South Africa “we found that we can coexist” in the same State, and all communities, regardless of race, language or religion, can enjoy all cultural, economical, social and political rights.
De Klerk was President of South Africa from 1989 until 1994 and won the Nobel Peace Price in 1993 together with Nelson Mandela.