For the first time in years, Colombia has recorded a significant fall in the number of cases of murder, kidnapping and extortion. According to official figures released on Tuesday, figures for the first six months of this year were well down on the last six months of 2002. Kidnappings nationwide fell by 34 per cent and homicide decreased by 22 per cent, while the extortion rate was reduced by more than half, the figures showed. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday in the capital, Bogota, General Jorge Mora, commander of Colombia’s armed forces, said the figures were evidence the war could be won militarily and not just through dialogue. Army chief General Carlos Ospina said the guerrillas have carried out fewer attacks on civilians in remote areas after the military stepped up its operations and recaptured lost territory. Full Story
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