The mountains of Colombia, December 2, 1992 Sefiores Antonio Caballero, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Nicolas Buveaventura, Fernando Botero and the other signatories of the letter: We extend our greetings and thank you for your important observations on the persistence of armed insurgency in Colombia. We, too, would like to share with you some of our reflections which we hope can be of some use. It is important to underscore that the revolutionary guerrilla struggle in Colombia developed and continues to grow as a result of the permanent violence of the state that impedes with fire and blood the existence of an opposition to the establishment. Armed struggle has not been either an end or an objective. It has simply been a means by which to resist aggression and fight for democracy and dignity.... The truth is that well before there emerged revolu- tionary armed struggle in Colombia, there existed a dirty war which was fought with complete impunity. The infamous "pajaros," paramilitary groups and state intelligence forces have been the principal protagonists of this long history of terror. All of Colombia has been a witness to their actions, which at times have been characterized by selective assassination, and at other times have included massacres and genocide. Always, our nation has been forced to live with torture, disap- pearances, authoritarianism and collective intimidation which have obliged many compatriots to choose the route of exile as an extreme recourse in defense of their physical and moral integrity. It must be said that if certain practices and historical conceptions have lost their historical significance, it is pre- cisely the practice of state terrorism and the systematic use of institutional mechanisms to assassinate and "dis- appear" political opposition. Such practices have convert- ed despotism into the natural form of governing.... The CGSB [Coordinadora Guerrillera Simon Bolivar] remains committed to the search for a political solution to the crisis. We reject the government's calls for an "integral war." We propose an integral solution and a lasting peace.... You, the "convinced democrats, opposed to violence and authoritarian options" could use your newspapers, magazines, university posts and public fora to work for a change in the current atmos- phere of aggression.... The CSGB rejects and condemns drug trafficking. You should not let yourselves be confused by a dishon- est plot cooked up by the U.S. Embassy, the Presidency of the Republic, the intelligence services and a couple of Bogota publications that actively attempt to derail our commitment to the most noble causes in Colom- bia.... The CGSB welcomes the different proposals that have been put forward by various groups to halt the escalation of the conflict into a full-scale war. Particu- larly important are the proposals for national and inter- national mediation that would supervise the implemen- tation of a future agreement, ensuring that each side respects its commitments while enforcing compliance to the agreed upon rules of the game. We also support those proposals that seek to include a broad range of representatives from Colombian society in the negotiat- ing process and to seat them at the negotiating table. The forms of struggle that the Colombian people have chosen to achieve a better future was not a free decision. It was imposed on them. They were not given a choice. It is incumbent on us all to work toward a solution that creates an environment where the recourse to arms is only a bad memory of our unfortu- nate history. Again, we appreciate your interest and your initiative to communicate with us. We hope you will persist in your efforts for peace. Between us, surely, we can cre- ate the necessary elements that will close the door to further bloodshed. Sincerely, Compatriotas, Coordinadora Guerrillera Simon Bolivar Manuel Marulanda V., Alfonso Cano, Rabl Reyes, Timolen Jimenez, Ivan Marquez, Manuel P6rez Martinez, Nicolas Rodriguez Bautista, Pablo Tejada, Francisco Galan, Milton Hernandez, Francisco Carabal- lo, Diego Ruiz.
