US Absolves Colombian army terrorists
international |
anti-war / imperialism |
other press 
Sunday April 22, 2007 10:19
by Ascent
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has issued a statement that the Colombian Armed Forces are complying with the conditions necessary for them to continue receiving US war aid. Ms Rice has just condoned one of the biggest terrorist organisations in the world, after the US, UK and Israeli armies.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 5755]
Determination and Certification Related to Colombian Armed Forces
Under Section 556 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006 (Division D, Pub. L. 109-102)
Pursuant to the authority vested in me as Secretary of State,
including under Section 556 of the Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-
102 ``the Act''), I hereby determine and certify that the Colombian
Armed Forces are meeting the conditions contained in Sections 556(a)(2)
and 556(a)(3) of the Act.
The above-mentioned conditions are that: (A) The Commander General
of the Colombian Armed Forces is suspending from the Armed Forces those
members, of whatever rank who, according to the Minister of Defense or
the Procuraduria General de la Nacion, have been credibly alleged to
have committed gross violations of human rights, including extra-
judicial killings, or to have aided or abetted paramilitary
organizations; (B) the Colombian government is vigorously investigating
and prosecuting those members of the Colombian Armed Forces, of
whatever rank, who have been credibly alleged to have committed gross
violations of human rights, including extra-judicial killings, or to
have aided or abetted paramilitary organizations, and is promptly
punishing those members of the Colombian Armed Forces found to have
committed such violations of human rights or to have aided or abetted
paramilitary organizations; (C) the Colombian Armed Forces have made
substantial progress in cooperating with civilian prosecutors and
judicial authorities in such cases (including providing requested
information, such as the identity of persons suspended from the Armed
Forces and the nature and cause of the suspension, and access to
witnesses, relevant military documents, and other requested
information); (D) The Colombian Armed Forces have made substantial
progress in severing links (including denying access to military
intelligence, vehicles, and other equipment or supplies, and ceasing
other forms of active or tacit cooperation) at the command, battalion,
and brigade level, with paramilitary organizations, especially in
regions where these organizations have a significant presence; (E) The
Colombian government is dismantling paramilitary leadership and
financial networks by arresting commanders and financial backers,
especially in regions where these networks have a significant presence;
and (F) The Colombian government is taking effective steps to ensure
that the Colombian Armed Forces are not violating the land and property
rights of Colombia's indigenous communities. A final condition,
described in Section 556(a)(3), is that the Colombian Armed Forces are
conducting vigorous operations to restore government authority and
respect for human rights in areas under the effective control of
paramilitary and guerilla organizations.
The Department of State has periodically consulted with
internationally recognized human rights organizations regarding the
Colombian Armed Forces' progress in meeting the above-mentioned
conditions, as provided in Section 556(c) of the Act.
This Determination and Certification shall be published in the
Federal Register and copies shall be transmitted to the appropriate
committees of Congress.
Dated: April 4, 2007.
Condoleezza Rice,
Secretary of State, Department of State
http://199.238.132.102/2005-2/566/566_10_Colombia.shtml