Dec
13
military aid with troops
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The Foreign Affairs Committee of the British Parliament has called UK military aid to Colombia “inappropriate” and says that any future assistance to the Colombian military should be conditional on an improvement in the human rights situation. In a scathing attack on British policy the Committee also directly contradicts the UK Government position by saying that in fact the human rights situation in Colombia is not improving and that trade unionists continue to be targeted.
The new report, entitled “Foreign Affairs – Ninth Report”, also criticises the lack of transparency surrounding UK military aid to Colombia and says that extra-judicial executions carried out by the Colombian military must not be ignored.
According to the Committee, “We conclude that the human rights situation in Colombia is serious and shows little sign of improvement. We further conclude that allegations of extra-judicial executions by the Colombian military, and the continued targeting of trade unionists, cannot be ignored. We therefore believe it is inappropriate for the Government to provide military aid to Colombia without any reference to human rights improvements.”
The report goes on to say: “Noting recent moves by the US Congress to freeze some aid to Colombia on human rights grounds, we recommend that the Government should request the Colombian military to demonstrate measurable and verifiable human rights improvements in exchange for future assistance.”
Dec
13
Frac’s Terrorist
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Colombia has designed a strategy to face the challenges of consolidating these gains by expanding state presence and government services in areas reclaimed from illegal armed groups. While maintaining pressure on narcotics traffickers and terrorist organizations through eradication, interdiction, and extradition, the strategy outlines a plan to expand government programs in remote rural areas and puts increased emphasis on security, social services, and assistance to vulnerable groups, such as Afro- Colombians, indigenous groups, and displaced persons. It also devotes more resources to human rights and judicial reforms to end impunity in these cases. Our assistance supports these efforts and complements Colombia’s capabilities in areas such as counternarcotics. As local capacity grows, we are working with the Government of Colombia to prepare it to assume responsibility for these programs. However, bilateral assistance is only part of the solution.
The President said with absolute clarity that the only road for the negotiation with the FARC is the Catholic Church and the two delegates of the three European countries (France, Switzerland and Spain)
Besides, as the Government did it in the past, it would welcome the liberation of the kidnapped, if this one is made unilaterally, unconditionally, and with transparency.
The President of the Republic of Colombia has expressed that the big difference between a demilitarized zone and a meeting zone is that in the first one the citizenship is exposed to a permanent terrorism risk, which would not occur in a meeting rural zone without population, with international observers, in which inclusively could be considered the presence of an institutional international force.
The President reaffirmed the Farc’s terrorist character, a guerrillas that use the violence against the legitimate democracy, a criminal group that is nourish from the drug trafficking business, that recluse kids, pregnant women and elder ones, tortures those kidnapped, plant landmines, and uses weapons forbidden by the International humanitarian Law.
Dec
13
President Chavez
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President Hugo Chávez has seized every opportunity to abuse Colombia, its Government and its leaders. He has ignored the terrorist actions of the guerrilla, its participation in drug trafficking, the crimes committed by them against children, women and the elderly, kidnapping and other crimes classified as terrorism, as crimes against humanity, according to the procedures, provisions and rules of the United Nations and the Organization of American States. president Hugo Chávez is mistaking cooperation with interference, just as he mistook mediation with bias.President Hugo Chávez has ignored that the Colombian guerrilla, although it commits crimes in many parts of the country, has no control over any part of the territory. Likewise, he has ignored the kidnappings of both Colombian and Venezuelan citizens by the Colombian guerrilla in Venezuelan territory.President Hugo Chávez must be aware that the creation of the Democratic Security policy was solely caused by the rebellion of the Colombian people against terrorism which for fifty years has kidnapped and murdered. such Democratic Security policy has greatly progressed, despite the fact that President Hugo Chávez chooses to interpret the contrary. Just as para-militarism is being dismantled, it will not be long before the guerrilla is defeated; the only argument of the guerrilla today is to cause terror with the torture of those kidnapped and the cynical disclosure of such abuse. The Government of Colombia requests President Hugo Chávez to cease his aggressions against our Nation.The Government of Colombia shall insist through the diplomatic channels for argumentative and constructive conversations with the Government of Venezuela.
Dec
13
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Colombia is a prime example of the intrinsic link between prosperity and security. To continue its progress in the long term, and create new economic alternatives to drugs and violence, Colombia needs investment, trade, and economic growth. The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement is vital to supporting Colombia in its success and encouraging yet further progress. It will bring increased economic opportunity to the people of Colombia through sustained economic growth, new employment opportunities, increased investment, and by consolidating anti-corruption reforms and drawing millions into the formal economy. The 270,000 jobs it will bring to Colombians will weaken the lure of the illicit economic sector. Provisions in the agreement will reinforce democracy by fighting corruption, increasing transparency, and fostering accountability and rule of law. Through these changes, the agreement will address the underlying causes of the social ills that allow narcotraffickers and insurgent groups to operate.
Colombia’s Success is Our Success
Supporting Colombia, a key U.S. ally, increases stability in our Hemisphere, thereby strengthening our security and economic interests in the region. The United States has been a proud partner in Colombia’s success and will continue to work side-by-side with the Colombian people as they further bolster their security and improve their lives. U.S. support and the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement are vital to ensuring Colombia continues on its trajectory of positive change and continues to be a steadfast strategic partner for the United States and a democratic anchor in the region. By embracing democratic governance and open markets, Colombia has made a strategic choice for a better future for its people, and needs our support in doing so. It is time for us to stand by Colombia and its people, showing our commitment to responsible democracies that seek increased engagement, partnership, and trade with the United States.
Dec
13
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Eight years ago, Colombia was a near failing state. Violence was rampant, citizens were fleeing the country, and economic activity was plummeting. Since then, the United States and Colombia have worked together to combat violence and instability.
Security has improved markedly. Under President Uribe, homicides have dropped by 40 percent, kidnappings by 83 percent, and terrorist attacks by 76 percent – and violence continued to plummet in 2007. Over 45,000 terrorists have demobilized - including 32,000 paramilitary members – and the FARC and ELN are significantly weakened. Colombia is doing what no other country has attempted during a peace process, holding irregular forces accountable for their crimes.
At the same time, Colombia has laid the foundation for bringing government services to areas retaken from illegal armed groups, and increased investment in alternative development, human rights protection, and social services. Mayors have returned to their towns. Enrollment in public schools is now at 92 percent.
Drug cartels have been dismantled. Colombia has extradited over 687 criminals – mostly drug traffickers – to the United States. Cocaine production has fallen by a third, seizures of cocaine bound for the United States have more than doubled, and, while estimates differ, coca cultivation has declined. Interdiction and eradication successes have kept an average of 400 metric tons per year of cocaine from reaching the U.S. market. Alternative development programs have benefited over 135,000 families and supported over 158,000 hectares of licit crops.
Thanks in part to increased security, Colombia’s economy is rebounding and people’s lives are improving. Roads are open. Displaced farmers are returning to their lands. Economic growth topped over 6.9 percent in 2007, the highest in eight years. Unemployment and poverty are at their lowest levels in a decade.
Dec
13
Extraditing Farc key leaders
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For the past fourty years or so there has been organized crime mobs in Colombia, and it was common for the government and the crime mobs to reach a peace agreement between both sides which alot of times came out empty handed. a new method of punishment from colombia is Extraditing.
Dec
12
narcotrafican
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Colombia has designed a strategy to face the challenges of consolidating these gains by expanding state presence and government services in areas reclaimed from illegal armed groups. While maintaining pressure on narcotics traffickers and terrorist organizations through eradication, interdiction, and extradition, the strategy outlines a plan to expand government programs in remote rural areas and puts increased emphasis on security, social services, and assistance to vulnerable groups, such as Afro- Colombians, indigenous groups, and displaced persons. It also devotes more resources to human rights and judicial reforms to end impunity in these cases. Our assistance supports these efforts and complements Colombia’s capabilities in areas such as counternarcotics. As local capacity grows, we are working with the Government of Colombia to prepare it to assume responsibility for these programs. However, bilateral assistance is only part of the solution. The President said with absolute clarity that the only road for the negotiation with the FARC is the Catholic Church and the two delegates of the three European countries (France, Switzerland and Spain) Besides, as the Government did it in the past, it would welcome the liberation of the kidnapped, if this one is made unilaterally, unconditionally, and with transparency. The President of the Republic of Colombia has expressed that the big difference between a demilitarized zone and a meeting zone is that in the first one the citizenship is exposed to a permanent terrorism risk, which would not occur in a meeting rural zone without population, with international observers, in which inclusively could be considered the presence of an institutional international force. The President reaffirmed the Farc’s terrorist character, a guerrillas that use the violence against the legitimate democracy, a criminal group that is nourish from the drug trafficking business, that recluse kids, pregnant women and elder ones, tortures those kidnapped, plant landmines, and uses weapons forbidden by the International humanitarian Law.
Dec
12
President Chavez
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
President Hugo Chávez has seized every opportunity to abuse Colombia, its Government and its leaders. He has ignored the terrorist actions of the guerrilla, its participation in drug trafficking, the crimes committed by them against children, women and the elderly, kidnapping and other crimes classified as terrorism, as crimes against humanity, according to the procedures, provisions and rules of the United Nations and the Organization of American States. President Hugo Chávez is mistaking cooperation with interference, just as he mistook mediation with bias. President Hugo Chávez has ignored that the Colombian guerrilla, although it commits crimes in many parts of the country, has no control over any part of the territory. Likewise, he has ignored the kidnappings of both Colombian and Venezuelan citizens by the Colombian guerrilla in Venezuelan territory. President Hugo Chávez must be aware that the creation of the Democratic Security policy was solely caused by the rebellion of the Colombian people against terrorism which for fifty years has kidnapped and murdered. Such Democratic Security policy has greatly progressed, despite the fact that President Hugo Chávez chooses to interpret the contrary. Just as para-militarism is being dismantled, it will not be long before the guerrilla is defeated; the only argument of the guerrilla today is to cause terror with the torture of those kidnapped and the cynical disclosure of such abuse. the Government of Colombia requests President Hugo Chávez to cease his aggressions against our Nation. The Government of Colombia shall insist through the diplomatic channels for argumentative and constructive conversations with the Government of Venezuela.
Dec
12
Colombia free trade
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Colombia is a prime example of the intrinsic link between prosperity and security. To continue its progress in the long term, and create new economic alternatives to drugs and violence, Colombia needs investment, trade, and economic growth. The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement is vital to supporting Colombia in its success and encouraging yet further progress. It will bring increased economic opportunity to the people of Colombia through sustained economic growth, new employment opportunities, increased investment, and by consolidating anti-corruption reforms and drawing millions into the formal economy. The 270,000 jobs it will bring to Colombians will weaken the lure of the illicit economic sector. Provisions in the agreement will reinforce democracy by fighting corruption, increasing transparency, and fostering accountability and rule of law. Through these changes, the agreement will address the underlying causes of the social ills that allow narcotraffickers and insurgent groups to operate.
Colombia’s Success is Our Success
Supporting Colombia, a key U.S. ally, increases stability in our Hemisphere, thereby strengthening our security and economic interests in the region. The United States has been a proud partner in Colombia’s success and will continue to work side-by-side with the Colombian people as they further bolster their security and improve their lives. U.S. support and the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement are vital to ensuring Colombia continues on its trajectory of positive change and continues to be a steadfast strategic partner for the United States and a democratic anchor in the region. By embracing democratic governance and open markets, Colombia has made a strategic choice for a better future for its people, and needs our support in doing so. It is time for us to stand by Colombia and its people, showing our commitment to responsible democracies that seek increased engagement, partnership, and trade with the United States.
Dec
12
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Eight years ago, Colombia was a near failing state. Violence was rampant, citizens were fleeing the country, and economic activity was plummeting. Since then, the United States and Colombia have worked together to combat violence and instability.
Security has improved markedly. Under President Uribe, homicides have dropped by 40 percent, kidnappings by 83 percent, and terrorist attacks by 76 percent – and violence continued to plummet in 2007. Over 45,000 terrorists have demobilized - including 32,000 paramilitary members – and the FARC and ELN are significantly weakened. Colombia is doing what no other country has attempted during a peace process, holding irregular forces accountable for their crimes.
At the same time, Colombia has laid the foundation for bringing government services to areas retaken from illegal armed groups, and increased investment in alternative development, human rights protection, and social services. Mayors have returned to their towns. Enrollment in public schools is now at 92 percent.
Drug cartels have been dismantled. Colombia has extradited over 687 criminals – mostly drug traffickers – to the United States. Cocaine production has fallen by a third, seizures of cocaine bound for the United States have more than doubled, and, while estimates differ, coca cultivation has declined. Interdiction and eradication successes have kept an average of 400 metric tons per year of cocaine from reaching the U.S. market. Alternative development programs have benefited over 135,000 families and supported over 158,000 hectares of licit crops.
Thanks in part to increased security, Colombia’s economy is rebounding and people’s lives are improving. Roads are open. Displaced farmers are returning to their lands. Economic growth topped over 6.9 percent in 2007, the highest in eight years. Unemployment and poverty are at their lowest levels in a decade.