Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said Colombia's FARC rebels should lay down weapons for four months to help start peace talks.

Chavez made his comments a few days before the Summit of the Americas, a meeting of regional leaders in which Chavez and U.S. President Barack Obama will both participate.

"The president said if there is a peace proposal the government is ready, that they should stop their activities for four months," Chavez said during a press conference with Uribe in Caracas.

"I think that's fair, the FARC should take note of this."

At the summit in Trinidad this week, Chavez will propose the United States drops its trade embargo against his Cuba, but has also said he is open to talks with Obama.

On Wednesday he said he was neither a friend or an enemy of the rebels. "Venezuela and our government do not support armed or violent movements in Colombia or in any part of the world," Chavez said.

"I am not an ally of the FARC, I am not a friend of the FARC -- but you know that I am not their enemy."


Reuters

Güncelleme Tarihi: 15 Nisan 2009, 12:43