COLOMBIA GOVERNMENT, REBEL GROUP EXCHANGE PROPOSALS FOR TRUCE TO 36-YEAR WAR

SAN VICENTE DEL CAGUAN -- Colombia's largest rebel group and the government
were preparing Monday to cap 18 months of negotiations by exchanging
proposals for a truce in the more than three-decade war.

But hopes remained dim that the proposals would bring peace anytime soon to
the strife-torn South American nation. The proposals were expected to
differ widely and could lead to endless rounds of talks to resolve the
differences.

Tensions have been on the rise since the U.S. Congress approved $1.3
billion in aid last week, mostly to train and supply Colombian troops who
are set to confront rebels protecting wide swathes of drug-producing regions.

Alfonso Cano, of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, said
the rebel proposal called for imposing short-term cease-fires in
well-defined regions and that there be no international verification mechanism.

Camilo Gomez, a government peace negotiator, said the government proposal
called for a cease-fire and an end to rebel kidnappings and attacks against
civilian populations.

FARC leaders have said they would consider halting kidnappings as a means
of raising funds only if the government financed the rebel group.

Roughly 3,000 people are killed annually in the 36-year conflict, the
majority villagers accused by rebels or rival paramilitary groups of
supporting the opposing side.