FARC rebels and Washington far apart

Rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, have downplayed a decision by President Bush, not to send observers to peace talks with the Colombian government.

The FARC leader, Manuel Marulanda, said his group would not, as he put it, beg the United States to become involved.

He was speaking after Mr Bush declined an invitation from the guerrillas and the Colombian president, Andres Pastrana, to attend the negotiations.

At a meeting with Mr Pastrana on Wednesday, Mr Bush said the US would not become involved until the FARC hands over those responsible for the killings of three American aid workers in Colombia in 1999.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service