[FILO]

DD: the use of the LE approach as adding some kind of “legitimacy” may seem like a useful or rational method but it's rather naive in its implementation in Colombia. Since FARC and ELN traditionally garner less than 5% of political support WITHIN COLOMBIA, your suggestion would have very little practical impact except in Paris, Berlin or the coffee houses in Berkeley, CA. If you ask the Jose or Maria on the streets of Bogotá he/she wants a resounding military defeat of the G with the G leaders hanging from the nearest tree.

Not until Uribe has any Col Govt. made a serious attempt at resolving this conflict. Pastrana tried, but he was naive and failed. That’s why Pastrana in the last year of his Presidency was forced to forgo the political process and launched a military offensive to re-secure the "safe-haven" which was turned over to FARC at the on-set of his presidency.

I have said this before and I will say it again, it's all about the money. I agree that the Col Govt. needs to use traditional LE SOP's in fighting FARC, as part of its tool box, but this conflict will only end once the senior leadership of FARC is feeding worms and the big three money sources (narco, kidnapping and extortion) are effectively attacked. Making dead Gs, tracking and seizing G funds, are the keys to success. Arresting G commanders and doing the perp walk will accomplish nothing except to centralize the G’s C&C.

Prior to 1993, FARC and ELN were a nuisance and not much of a threat, WHY? If you are looking to resolve this conflict, then understanding and appreciating the answer to this question would be a good place to start. The answer is truly IRONIC, especially given the LE recommendation!