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CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday he would try to persuade Colombian guerrillas to lay down their weapons if Colombia’s U.S.- backed government allows him to meet with the rebels’ commander.
Chavez also accused Washington of fomenting Colombia’s decades-old armed conflict, saying that unceasing warfare provides “the perfect excuse” to maintain a military presence in Colombia.
The Venezuelan leader also urged his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, to recognize the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and the National Liberation Army as legitimate insurgent groups as a step toward talks.
