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Dutch girl serves with Colombian rebels

Monday 03 September 2007

A Dutch girl going under the name of Eillen is apparently serving with FARC rebels in Colombia, according to Colombian paper El Tiempo on Sunday.

The paper says Eillen was forced to flee after an army raid on a FARC camp, leaving her diary behind. El Tiempo has printed a photograph of the girl, but there are no further details about her Dutch origins.

The paper says Eillen arrived in Colombia in 2000 when the FARC was involved in peace talks with the government of the time. She was one of a group of young Europeans who were in Colombia to learn about Latin American Marxist Leninism.

Eillen returned again in 2002 and has since worked as a translator for the FARC, reports Dutch news agency ANP.

In her diary, Eillen says she misses the Netherlands and finds it hard to contact her parents. On August 23, 2006 she reports that she had telephoned her parents. 'Mum cried and so did Dad,' she says. 'Now I have to await my punishment, because everyone [here] is allowed to phone except me.'

She also writes of her disillusionment with the FARC. 'I am tired, tired of the FARC, tired of the people, tired of communal living,' ANP quotes from her diary.

'I am tired of never having anything of my own. But it would be worth it if you knew what you were fighting for.'

© DutchNews.nl


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Readers' comments

I hope this helps bring Europe awareness about how bad the FARC really are and how they affect the life of everyone (civilian or not) here in Colombia.

Let's hope governments as well as NGOs and civilians learn a bit more about the conflict and begin rejecting FARC and their actions more.

By JuanDaniel | September 5, 2007 4:48 PM


It is very important for european people to read this diary. Many people who has never gone to Colombia think the FARC is some kind of romantic Robin Hood, and like this girl, people decides to support it.

If you read her diary you will understand that farc are only kidnappers, terrorist and drug dealers (main cocaine producers). How can anyone think that by killing people, a country will reach social and economic development?

By Richard | September 6, 2007 8:13 PM


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