CPTnet
January 20, 2002
BARRANCABERMEJA: Leave the civil population in peace!

Note: This is a public statement that CPT-Colombia published on January 20,
because of recent occurrences. The Colombia team has distributed it to the
leaders of the armed groups, Colombian government representatives,
Colombian military leadership, Canadian and U.S. embassies and the media.
Please share it with whomever you please.

LEAVE THE CIVIL POPULATION IN PEACE!

With great sadness we have learned that armed conflict has returned to the
Cienaga del Opon township. It is our understanding that on Tuesday, January
15, 2002 there was an exchange of gunfire between members of two illegal
armed groups (guerrilla and paramilitary) near the juncture of the Opon and
Colorada rivers.

Christian Peacemaker Teams has maintained an international
violence-reduction presence in the Cienaga del Opon township since May
2001. We have been invited to do this work by the civilian population of
the zone. The civilian population is tired of the war. They have made it
clear to us that they do not want an armed presence of any nature in their
communities. They want an end to the violence.

We denounce the presence and shooting of fire-arms in the Cienaga del Opon
township. We denounce any possible retaliation. We denounce the subjection
of the civil population to checkpoints maintained by illegal groups. We
denounce the lists of marked people maintained by illegal armed groups. We
denounce the actions of any individual or group that puts the civilian
population in danger or brings fear and uncertainty to the lives of the
women, children and men who reside in this township.

We lament the way things are. We lament the economic reality of the world
where so many have so few choices. We lament the lack of good and
sustaining work for the young people of Colombia. We lament the cycle of
violence that has attached itself to Colombian society even as we celebrate
the deep and widespread thirst for peace with justice that we have
experienced throughout this wonderful country and especially in the
municipality of Barrancabermeja.

We especially lament the loss of lives that have been cut short, some very
short, by the filth of violence. We lament the loss of lives among the
civilian population. We also lament the loss of lives of combatants, each
and every one of whom was made in the image and likeness of God.

To the members of armed groups, we plead with you to search for non-violent
methods to resolve conflicts. We ask you to consider that the way of
violence has been very costly for your families, your country, and in fact
for the whole world. Consider all the pain and suffering that the violent
"solutions" have brought to people you know. We invite you to consider a
better way. As Protestants and Catholics we try to follow the teachings of
Jesus Christ-- Love of enemy and forgiveness-- and ask you to consider how
these might have a place in your lives. You are, each and every one of you,
children of God. God dwells within you and calls you to a life of love and
respect for the dignity of all people.

In conclusion, we beg the members of all armed groups, please leave the
civilian population of the Cienaga del Opon township in peace. They are not
responsible for your confrontations.

Christian Peacemaker Teams

_________
To stop receiving messages from CPTNET on MennoLink,
send a message with only the word, "suspend," in the
body to server@MennoLink.org.