Colombia scorns FARC's call for talks

The Colombian government said Tuesday that it would not sit down and talk with the leader of the country's largest guerrilla group even though the rebel chief has called for "a hypothetical negotiating table."

The offer was made by the leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Timoleón Jiménez, known as "Timochenko," in a letter published late on Monday on the Marxist group's website.

Timochenko did not say what he meant by "a hypothetical negotiating table." But in his rambling letter, in which he included references to the Bible, Greek mythology and American writer Jack London, he said the FARC was interested in discussing issues such as privatization, trade and investment.

"The government doesn't negotiate and won't negotiate with these organizations and will not introduce any type of legislation that will make any special laws for these groups," said Interior Minister Germán Vargas Lleras.

The FARC has been waging a nearly five-decade war against the Colombian government.

Timochenko took over the FARC late last year after Colombian security forces killed the group's previous leader, the latest in a series of blows the government has struck against the FARC in recent times.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has called on the FARC to disband. Earlier last month, thousands of Colombians took to the streets to demand that the FARC disappear. Marches were held after several hostages were killed by the rebels during an ambush. The FARC is thought to be holding around 60 hostages, including three police officers who have been in captivity for over 12 years.