COLOMBIA: Left-wing rebels packed computers into rucksacks and headed for the mountains yesterday as thousands of government troops moved into position in south-western Colombia. The army was poised to retake territory ceded to the guerrillas for the duration of peace talks but these collapsed on Wednesday. Michael McCaughan reports.
President Andres Pastrana announced the end of the demilitarised zone, an area in south-west Colombia that is the size of Switzerland, during a televised address in which he accused the rebels of refusing to discuss substantive issues such as a ceasefire.
"I did everything in my power to save the peace process," Mr Pastrana said.
Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) in turn blamed the government for ignoring substantive issues, such as reform of the prevailing economic model which has impoverished 40 per cent of Colombians.
The squabble which formally collapsed the talks was over military controls outside the borders of the safe haven but mutual distrust and looming presidential elections scuppered hopes of a lasting agreement.
"This was a surprise we were all waiting for," one political analyst said.
There is still a small chance that government and rebels will pull back from the brink in the next 24 hours but no such signs were forthcoming last night.
The Bogota government viewed the zone as a major concession which would lead to a ceasefire and agreement on necessary political reforms. However, the rebels saw it as a step towards seizing power.
Residents of the zone expressed fears of retribution by right-wing paramilitary gangs which have labelled the entire population "legitimate targets".