A spokesman for Colombia's rebel group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) hailed Thursday's announcement by Spain that it would begin talks with armed separatist group ETA.

Luis Edgar Devia, a FARC spokesman better known by the guerrilla pseudonym Raul Reyes, said Thursday that the decision to start talks was "brave." He also criticized the Colombian government for ordering an intensification of its battle with Colombia's guerrillas.

He said there was a big contrast between this attitude and the attitude demonstrated by the government of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

"A lasting and just peace is only possible if the causes and nature of the conflicts are identified and overcome," he added.

FARC, which has been active since 1964, has 17,000 fighters.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has announced peace talks with ETA guerrillas which will focus on issues like disarmament and the future of hundreds of jailed ETA prisoners.

Source: Xinhua