| Colombia's best-known writer has met with the | | | | Mr. Garcia Marquez told Bogota's El Tiempo |
| leader of Colombia's second-largest rebel group, | | | | newspaper that he is looking forward to the start of |
| ahead of peace talks with the government set to | | | | new talks. Mr. Garcia, the rebel leader, said |
| open Friday in Cuba. | | | | Wednesday that efforts will be made to overcome |
| Nobel laureate writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez invited | | | | the many obstacles between the rebels and Caracas. |
| National Liberation Army chief Antonio Garcia to his | | | | Colombia's high commissioner for peace, Luis Carlos |
| Havana home for talks Thursday. Both men will take | | | | Restrepo, heads the government delegation. Envoys |
| part in the peace discussions, along with Colombian | | | | from Norway, Spain and Switzerland will monitor the |
| government officials. | | | | talks, which are expected to last about 10 days. |