Story number 3 for 20 Mar 2001

(Colombia)–Colombia is holding renewed peace talks with the largest guerrilla group in the country. More than two-dozen nations have representatives there. However, the United States has declined to participate. U-S officials are refusing because of the guerrillas’ involvement in the disappearance of three New Tribes Missionaries. The U-S Ambassador to Colombia, Anne Patterson, says this case must be resolved before the U-S will change its position. New Tribes officials hope this will pressure those involved to cooperate.