|
Comment on this article |
Email this Article
|
|
News :: Miscellaneous |
|
Selective Fight Against Terrorism Exposes Hypocrisy, Futility of US Policy in Colombia |
Current rating: 0 |
by Meridith Kruse
Email: mmkruse2000 (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified!)
Phone: 217-359-4793
Address: 310 South Draper, Champaign IL |
02 Oct 2001
Modified: 01:00:36 PM |
|
There have always been plenty of reasons to question the effectiveness of Plan Colombia in its ability to assist our “War on Drugs”. Now there are clear reasons to question Plan Colombia in its ability assist our “War on Terrorism” as well... |
Selective Fight Against Terrorism Exposes Hypocrisy, Futility of U.S. Policy in Colombia
On September 24th President Bush signed an executive order freezing the U.S. financial assets of terrorist organizations and prohibiting U.S. transactions with terrorist groups. I applauded this effort and agreed that terrorism in any form, committed by any group or government, cannot be supported. However, I also questioned the integrity of this declaration considering the selective manner in which our government is enforcing the high moral standards it so strongly claims to represent. Specifically, Secretary of State Colin Powell recently announced the designation of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, commonly known as the AUC or Paramilitaries, as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization”. This designation was definitely merited, considering that the Paramilitaries have massacred hundreds of civilians, forced the displacement of entire villages, and selectively murdered politicians, human rights workers, religious leaders, and trade unionists. My concern arises from the fact that through “Plan Colombia” (the transfer of $1.3 billion U.S. dollars to the Colombia Government) we, the taxpaying citizens of the United States, are now directly supporting a Colombian military structure closely aligned with a Foreign Terrorist Organization! For those questioning whether the Colombian Government maintain ties with the AUC consider the U.S. Department of State 2001 report on Human Rights practices in Colombia which states, “Members of the [government] security forces collaborated with paramilitary groups that committed abuses, in some instances allowing such groups to pass though roadblocks, sharing information, or providing them with supplies or ammunition. Despite increased government efforts to combat and capture members of paramilitary groups, often security forces failed to take action to prevent paramilitary attacks. Paramilitary forces find a ready support base within the military and police, as well as among local civilian elites in many areas.” http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/wha/. Requirements that would have conditioned U.S. aid to Colombia on the attainment of basic human rights standards were waived with the approval of Plan Colombia, leaving little incentive for the Colombian government to pressure the military to sever ties with the AUC terrorist group. There have always been plenty of reasons to question the effectiveness of Plan Colombia in its ability to assist our “War on Drugs”. Now there are clear reasons to question Plan Colombia in its ability assist our “War on Terrorism” as well. For more information about the human rights situation in Colombia contact Meridith Kruse, mmkruse2000 (at) yahoo.net or consider attending meetings on this topic, every Tuesday at 7:00 PM, at the Urbana Independent Media Center. |
