MESSAGE FROM PAX CHRISTI HOLLAND

Three farmers, members of the San Jose de Apartado Peace Community, 
were killed on October 6th, 1997. They were killed by the guerrillas, who 
don't respect the Peace Community's autonomy and try to force the local 
population to sell them food. These three farmers were shot in the back 
simply for defending their Community's decision not to be involved with any 
armed group. 

Pax Christi Holland and the Dutch congressman Thanasis Apostolou were in 
San Jose de Apartado in March 1997 when the community solemnly declared 
itself a Peace Community. From that moment on, both the (para)military and 
the guerrilla have constantly violated -- in the most cowardly manner -- 
the population's commitment to peace -- killing humble, unarmed people in 
open violation of International Human Rights. 

As observers invited by the community of San Jose, we committed 
ourselves to monitoring, on an international level, this admirable yet 
vulnerable peace initiative. The efforts of the San Jose Community deserve 
full international support because, as the international community well 
knows, the forces of violence in Colombia have no mercy on the population 
when it comes to defending their own war interests.

We reiterate our call to the international community, especially the 
European Union, to intensify its public and concrete support to this and 
other Peace Communities, both those in existence and those yet to be 
created. 

Amidst today's atrocious reality created by the (para)military and the 
insurgents (both now totally deligitimized), civilian peace initiatives, like 
the San Jose Peace Community, represent one of Colombia's greatest hopes. 
May the sacrifice of those killed at San Jose de Apartado -- Ramiro Correa, 
Luis Fernando Espinoza and Fernando Aguirre -- be another reason for the 
international community to listen to the voices of peace in Colombia. Only a 
common effort will stop the forces of violence and lead to a negotiated 
solution.

Holland, October 24, 1997.