27th of October 1998 Sr. Andres Pastrana Arango. President of the Republic, Colombia. Fax: 00571/ 2867434 Peace and all things good! The containing cycle of violence in Colombia is a source of deep concern and preoccupation to many Franciscans, both in Colombia and around the world. The most recent atrocities, including the murder of forty seven innocent people, burned alive in Central Antioquia, as a result of a sabotage to an oil pipeline, and the latest murder of a prominent trade union leader, Jorge Luis Ortega Garcia, makes the prospects of a negotiated peace even more difficult to attain. We are particularly incensed by the continuing assassinations of human rights workers, trade union leaders and other social, political and community activists. Despite the dialogue between the Government and many of these most affected organizations, the murder of Jorge Luis Ortega Garcia clearly indicates that no real progress has been made to ensure their protection. We call on the Colombian Government to investigate these latest crimes and bring the culprits to justice. We also encourage your Government to continue to strive after a negotiated solution to end the armed conflict. We also urge you to ensure the safety of human rights workers, opposition politicians, trade union and community leaders, especially those in the remotest parts of the country. May the God of life inspire you to be an instrument of peace and reconciliation, in your work to ensure the most vulnerable of the Colombian society can live a dignified life, without war and fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Sincerely, Francisco Ó Conaire, OFM Vice-Director, JPIC Office

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