BOGOTA - (AFP) -- Colombia will ask Cuban President Fidel Castro to act as a ``facilitator'' in the country's peace process with leftist guerrillas.

President Andres Pastrana told reporters on Monday that he would present his request to the Cuban leader when he visits Havana Jan. 14-15.

Peace talks between government negotiators and leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) are set to get under way Jan. 7 in a remote jungle area.

Pastrana said he did not know if Castro could bring any influence to bear over the country's leftist guerrillas.

``More important than whether or not the guerrillas pay attention to President Castro is that his government has the will to be a facilitator,'' he said.

The FARC also invited the Cuban leader, along with Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, to attend the discussions. According to press reports here, both men declined the invitations.

But Pastrana said Castro and Zedillo had agreed to send official delegates to the opening ceremony of the talks on Jan. 7.

FARC leaders have also invited current and past presidents, former guerrillas and others from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua, according to former Guatemalan peace negotiator Manuel Conde.

The FARC is the oldest, largest -- at about 12,000 strong -- and most aggressive of the three main guerrilla groups operating in this South American nation.

In a New Year's message sent to news organizations here, the group said it would ``do everything necessary'' to end the war.

``There are hopeful perspectives for all Colombians . . . to find ways to end the social and armed conflict our people have been suffering through for more than 50 years,'' the message said.

Government negotiators have been holding tentative preliminary talks with the FARC that are supposed to culminate with Pastrana meeting with rebel leader Manuel ``Sure Shot'' Marulanda, 68.

An area the size of Switzerland has been ``demilitarized'' in advance of the talks. Hundreds of FARC guerrillas now occupy the region, which is to remain free of government troops until Feb. 7.