COLOMBIA REBELS DENOUNCED "DEFAMATION"

Colombia's largest rebel group denounced a government "defamation"
campaign Monday even as the two sides exchanged proposals for a truce
in a 36-year conflict. The leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia said it was tired of officials labeling the group as
"bandits" and "terrorists" while the government pledges sincerity
about peace. The rebel group's statement, and the meager results of
Monday's cease-fire exchange, did little to raise hopes of peace in
the strife-torn South American nation. Negotiations begun 18 months
ago are moving slowly.