Colombia's rebel National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas affirmed Sunday that they are ready for public negotiations for a peace deal after two years of closed-door talks with the government.

The message was conveyed in a signed letter of the ELN Central Command to Humberto de la Calle, head of the government peace delegation.

The rebel organization said that they have been in talks with the government for two years, and that dates for follow-up discussions are scheduled after every meeting. During last session, however, the government did not confirm the timetable for further sessions.

The ELN, the second-largest guerrilla group in the country after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), called for peace talks following major advances in negotiations between the government and FARC in Havana, Cuba.

The public negotiations are expected to take place sometime this year at a place yet to be designated. Uruguay and Ecuador have both offered to hold the talks. Endi

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