Peace Commission Proposes 6-Month Truce

An advisory panel to Colombia's government and rebel peace negotiators called for a six-month truce in hopes that less bloodshed would boost chances for successful talks.

The "committee of notables" presented the proposal to negotiators from both sides in a rebel-held demilitarized zone in southern Colombia, according to the government and leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

The committee also proposed that a specific statute be enacted unifying existing laws to combat paramilitary groups battling the FARC.

The panel's proposals are not binding. Almost three years of peace talks have done little to quell Colombia's four-decade conflict.