About Kafir planes at the 26 September Ceremony
The unfortunate presence of Kafir planes on the day of the signing of the Final Havana Agreement has already been widely discussed and commented. There are many who wonder to what obeyed the menacing warplanes appearance on the scenario at the time the commander of the FARC-EP was finishing to deliver his speech.
In general we may conclude that there was a consensus on the rejection of such an event. Inopportune, impertinent, and even highly dangerous. On the stage among others, were at the ceremony the Secretary General of the UN, the United States Secretary of State of America, fifteen presidents in office and you can go to add former presidents and others.
It is even rumoured of possible diplomatic complaints against the government of Colombia. Events of this nature are supremely serious, solemnity being so high that a joke of such bad taste does not admit even be thought of. There were shocked foreign journalists who even suggested the possibility of a coup. And many minds were crossed by the idea of a dirty betrayal.
Why President Santos gave the green light to such absurdity, amid the official ceremony that sealed the end of armed conflict after fifty-two years of war? A few minutes before the choir of children and adults would give free rein to the portentous interpretation of Ode to Joy, and that he himself would cry out for no more war in Colombia?
We do not expect a public explanation about it, perhaps nor even a private one. As the death of our commander Alfonso Cano, in the middle of the first exchanges that led to the successful conclusion of this process, it is just one of the many provocations we had to face, with great serenity and good judgment along these years and until the last moment.
However, we would wish to refer to the treatment that some media commentators conferred to the fact. In particular the note prepared about it in the newspaper El Tiempo and that published by the portal las 2 orillas on the web. The two notes agree that it was a last moment show of force, with which the State wanted to show us its final victory.
We have not enough time to read all the columns of the great press, but enough is to know the content of the aforementioned, to imagine how many more columns have been developed and published on the same tone. In fact, the unanimous decision of the editors of the mainstream media was to present the surprised face of Timochenko in the foreground, to talk about his fear.
His fear of the airpower of the Colombia Army, his fear of the engine noise and bombs, his panic for an unexpected and instant death. And after this, they let the door open to the subsequent speculation. The FARC were taken defeated to the Negotiating Table, defeated at the point of bombs. Is there any more palpable evidence of this than the photograph displayed?
It’s difficult to find a more appropriate adjective other than diabolical to describe the way the issue is addressed by the media in question. We’re sure that none of those who write such notes has ever heard the sound of a fight, beside that seen in a film, a documentary or a video news produced at a safe distance.
Anyone who knows the classic video French journalists made on Marquetalia and Riochiquito times would know that since then the aircraft has been used to bomb and strafe camps, guerrilla units and even civilians. If that had been the proper procedure to defeat us, war would not have lasted for half a century.
Something smells rotten in such notes. As El Tiempo highlights that thanks to the bombs Raul Reyes, Jorge Briceño and Alfonso Cano were killed, the note published by Las 2 Orillas expands on a FARC being coward and shaking, signing the Final Agreement imposed by the national government by way of summons. The same array of long years of war.
It’s no worth it answering to the authors of such absurdities. At the end of the day they are simple amanuensis expressing the resentment of certain circles of power absolutely offended by what has been achieved by the FARC. We feel that the great majority of the country joins us in this victory of the Colombian people: we have won peace and how much is this hurting some people.
They should remember Baron von Clausewitz, and his fundamental text on politics and war. This is nothing but the continuation of the first by other means. And more than the annihilation of the contender, victory consists in imposing one’s will on the opponent. If something is perfectly clear in the Havana Agreements, it is that there were no winners or losers.
FARC will continue making politics, openly and legally, without weapons, carrying our message of renovation and change throughout the country. With full guarantees from the State. We are sorry but we exit war through the front door, with official recognition of the UN, the European Union, the United States and virtually every country in the world.
That can not be denied not even by our staunchest detractors, rather shocked and teary while watching the demonstrations and omens of success given to us by the whole of the international community, the government of Colombia, and especially the sea of personalities and social, political, artistic and cultural organizations that have applauded the Final Agreement.
Some serious mental disturbance should suffer those inspiring the writers in question. Those who clap their hands to the alleged fear the Kafir gave Timochenko and his people in Cartagena on 26 Sep.: this reveals rather how hugely misplaced they are today in Colombia and the continent, military demonstrations of brute force and terror.
We could write an essay about the disproportionate and immoral character of the air war against guerrillas. Something that everyone assisting the ceremony of 26 Sep. perceived immediately. But it’s not worth stirring things up with that now. We signed the end of the conflict and go for reconciliation, for forgiveness, for a Colombia without hatred, in peace and social justice. So be it.
Havana, September 30, 2016.
* Timoleon Jimenez, Head of the High Central Command of the FARC-EP
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