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Santa Fé de Ralito Accord to contribute to peace in Colombia The national government and the United Self-Defence groups of Colombia (AUC), as the result of the preceding Exploratory Phase conducted between the parties since December 2002, AGREE TO: 1. Define as the objective of this process the establishment of national peace through the strengthening of democratic governance and the re-establishment of the monopoly of force in the hands of the State. The AUC reiterate that its greatest service to the country in this historic moment is to advance its reincorporation into civilian life and to contribute to the strengthening to the rule of law. The parties commit themselves to this process conscious that their actions are an effective step towards the construction of a genuine peace that the Colombian people deserve and desire. 2. To achieve this proposition the AUC commits itself to the total demobilization of its members through a gradual process that will begin with the first demobilisations before the end of the year and that should be completed no later than the 31 December 2005. The government commits itself to pursue the necessary actions to reincorporate the AUC’s members into civilian life. 3. The AUC values very positively the final recommendations made by the Exploratory Commission and recognizes that these constitute the basis for a peace process between the national government and the AUC. 4. The parties agree that with the recommendations made in the final report of the Exploratory Commission the exploratory phase of the peace process has been concluded, giving way to the start of the negotiation stage. 5. Create the conditions so that within a reasonable time period – with the necessary security guarantees – members of the AUC will congregate in previously agreed upon locations. The congregation of the AUC’s members will include all levels of command, with the necessary security guarantees as agreed between the parties. These zones will have a permanent public security force presence. 6. The AUC ratifies its commitment to the end of hostilities, as a good will gesture, and will continue with its efforts to ensure that this is completely effective. 7. The AUC shares the government’s goal of a Colombia without narco-trafficking and supports the actions of the Colombian State against this phenomenon that destroys democracy, peaceful coexistence, the economy and the environment. 8. Thank the Catholic Church for its permanent presence throughout this peace process and invite it to continue this as a guarantee of the processes’ transparency and parties’ commitment to peace in Colombia. 9. Call for national solidarity and commitment in order to strengthen the State and to create the conditions that will make possible the demobilization and reincorporation of the members of the AUC into civilian life. The parties ask that the different national sectors and local communities support the efforts of the State institutions in consolidating security, peaceful coexistence and development. 10. Call on the international community to support the efforts to defend and strengthen the Colombian democracy and to give their support to deactivating the causes of violence that affects Colombia. With this accord the government and the AUC are responding to the national wish for a peaceful Colombia with opportunities and guarantees for everyone. On behalf of the National Government: LUIS CARLOS RESTREPO On behalf of the AUC: HERNAN HERNÁNDEZ Witnesses: Members of the Exploratory Commission for Peace Facilitators of the process from the Catholic Church Santa Fé de Ralito, 15 July 2003
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