Brasilia, 22 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The governments of the Mercosur nations - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – and of the trade bloc's affiliated nations – Chile and Bolivia – released a statement expressing "grave concern in light of the recent occurrences and acts of violence that led the government of Colombia to interrupt the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)."

In the statement, the 6 countries reasserted their support "for the Constitutional and democratic government" of President Andrés Pastrana and solidarity for the Colombian people and made a "vehement" appeal that human rights and the principles of international humanitarian law be fully respected.

The declaration ends with the nations expressing their hope that "conditions will be established as quickly as possible to allow for a return to the paths that can bring peace and tranquillity to the Colombian nation." (MW)