US embassy urged Clinton to hold back on praising Uribe during 2010 visit

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Colombia Reports

US embassy urged Clinton to hold back on praising Uribe during 2010 visit
Posted by Grace Brown on Sep 7, 2015

The United States’ embassy in Bogota warned former State Secretary Hillary Clinton ahead of a 2010 visit to Colombia to “avoid effusive praise for President Alvaro Uribe” because of the latter’s implication in mayor human rights abuses.

The email, dated June 3 2010 and originating from the office of Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), was forwarded by Ambassador William Brownfield, now Assistant Secretary of State for Narcotics Affairs and Law Enforcement, and sent to Clinton’s then-chief of staff, Cheryl Mills, prior to flying to Colombia on a state visit.

. . .

However, the email advised, this recognition should avoid “repeating the tone of Defense Secretary [Robert] Gates’ April visit, in which he called Uribe a ‘great hero’ and failed even to mention any concerns.” Among those concerns were mounting accusations of mass human rights violations that happened under Uribe’s watch.

The email highlighted the possible scale of the “false positives” scandal, in which Colombia’s US-backed military murdered thousands of innocent civilians and dressed them in guerrilla clothing in order to inflate body counts and receive bonuses.




Read more: http://colombiareports.com/us-embassy-urged-clinton-to-hold-back-on-praising-uribe-during-2010-visit/

[forest444]

1. And with good reason.

http://articles.latimes.com/2004/aug/02/world/fg-drugprez2

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/25/AR2007012501192.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/08/alvaro-uribe-criminal-investigation-colombia_n_2434574.html

[Judi Lynn]

8. The U.S. Government, as mentioned in your second link, knew who Uribe was long ago.

There's no possibility that the official position on this man doesn't include awareness of his own record, that of the other members of his family who have also been connected to narco-trafficking war lords for many years.

That it's apparent they don't choose to let it stand in the way of progress should be obvious. He has been horrendously accommodating to ALL U.S. political/material interests in Colombia, and the corporate world's intention to use Colombia as a cheap labor pool as it empties the country of its material wealth in the ground, under the ground, at the lowest possible price, with the fewest impediments to total profit.

Uribe also encouraged the U.S. Gov't to use Colombia as a "lily pad" country, in Rumsfeld's terminology, a "forward operating base" from which the U.S. military could keep a heavy presence in the Americas, and "respond" swiftly to anything the military viewed as a provocation.

About the report mentioned in your L.A. Times link:

[center]U.S. INTELLIGENCE LISTED COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT URIBE AMONG
"IMPORTANT COLOMBIAN NARCO-TRAFFICKERS" IN 1991

Then-Senator "Dedicated to Collaboration with the Medellín Cartel at High Government Levels"

Confidential DIA Report Had Uribe Alongside Pablo Escobar, Narco-Assassins

Uribe "Worked for the Medellín Cartel" and was a "Close Personal Friend of Pablo Escobar"[/center]
Washington, D.C., 1 August 2004 - Then-Senator and now President Álvaro Uribe Vélez of Colombia was a "close personal friend of Pablo Escobar" who was "dedicated to collaboration with the Medellín [drug] cartel at high government levels," according to a 1991 intelligence report from U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) officials in Colombia. The document was posted today on the website of the National Security Archive, a non-governmental research group based at George Washington University.

Uribe's inclusion on the list raises new questions about allegations that surfaced during Colombia's 2002 presidential campaign. Candidate Uribe bristled and abruptly terminated an interview in March 2002 when asked by Newsweek reporter Joseph Contreras about his alleged ties to Escobar and his associations with others involved in the drug trade. Uribe accused Contreras of trying to smear his reputation, saying that, "as a politician, I have been honorable and accountable."

The newly-declassified report, dated 23 September 1991, is a numbered list of "the more important Colombian narco-traffickers contracted by the Colombian narcotic cartels for security, transportation, distribution, collection and enforcement of narcotics operations." The document was released by DIA in May 2004 in response to a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the Archive in August 2000.

The source of the report was removed by DIA censors, but the detailed, investigative nature of the report -- the list corresponds with a numbered set of photographs that were apparently provided with the original -- suggests it was probably obtained from Colombian or U.S. counternarcotics personnel. The document notes that some of the information in the report was verified "via interfaces with other agencies."

More:
http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB131/

[center]

Alvaro Uribe with George W Bush[/center]

[Tommy2Tone]

2. Just another attempt to blame Clinton for everything

[karynnj]

3. Nothing in the story even says what HRC did, much less blames her

What the article does speak of is about concerns passed on from a very reputable Congressman (McGovern - D, MA) that spoke of real human rights problems in Columbia. It looks like this was handled well by the State Department people in that it was passed up to Mills, who was a top Clinton aide. They also had info from the ambassador, who spoke of how Columbia supported US policy. It is very good that BOTH of these pieces of information were passed to the top of the State Department.

From this, nothing is said of what Clinton did. That nothing is included in the article, she likely avoided the fawning praise given by Gates, while honoring the commitment to go to Columbia. If that is what happened - it is VERY good work for Jim McGovern and the State Department staff in supporting the Secretary of State.

On further investigation - It looks like she did consider the concerns of Jim McGovern (Who is a really great guy who I heard speak back when I had a daughter at college in Worchester, a town he represented.) It is true that many here might have wanted her to be less positive than she was, but she does avoid Gates like praise. Look at the very weak praise when she speaks of human rights problems and note how she very very specifically limits what she praises him for. Note the praise is JUST for him not insisting on another term.

Here is her public speech, quoted in full because it, unlike her emails, is from state.gov!

SECRETARY CLINTON: President Uribe, let me begin by telling you how pleased I am to be here in Colombia for the first time. You have been so gracious in entertaining my husband and my daughter in the past. And now, I finally have completed the family visits to your beautiful country.

This is a trip I have looked forward to making for quite some time, and it is a real pleasure to see how far Colombia has come and how much Colombia is contributing not only to its own people but to those who face similar struggles beyond your borders. So thank you for your hospitality, thank you for the very comprehensive discussion that we have had together today, and for the opportunity to reaffirm the friendship and strong partnership between the United States and Colombia.

In the last decade, Colombia has confronted immense challenges. And by any fair measure, Colombia has made great progress. That is thanks to the leadership of your government and to the resilience and dedication of the Colombian people. And even with continuing challenges in your own struggle, Colombia is playing a positive and increasingly important regional role, whether it be on promoting clean energy or on relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. The United States has been proud to stand with Colombia, and we will continue to stand with you in the future.

President Uribe and I discussed Colombia’s continuing efforts in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. And I expressed the commitment of the Obama Administration to continuing to partner with Colombia as it works to consolidate the security gains of recent years.

We also discussed Colombia’s efforts to enhance human rights, the strides made, the challenges that remain, the ongoing need for vigilance and commitment. And I also want to publicly express our admiration for President Uribe providing a remarkable example of strong democratic leadership in respecting the constitutional court’s decision regarding another term.

Colombia is such a valued partner and a leader that we look forward to expanding and deepening our partnership. Colombia has helped to lead the way as an active member of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas. Just a few examples that we look to and encourage others to do so as well: developing cutting-edge mass transit systems, exploiting the potential of biofuels, becoming a leader in the use of ethanol, spearheading an initiative to help build the infrastructure for long-distance electrical transmissions from Panama, through the Andean states, to Chile.

Colombia has also worked hard to address the historic lack of opportunity for many of its people, and in doing so has provided important models for other countries in our hemisphere. Recently, the United States and Colombia concluded the first steering committee meeting for our action plan on racial and ethnic equality, which will work to improve access to education, employment, and other opportunities for Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities.

We signed a new science and technology agreement today that will facilitate the exchange of ideas and technology to help both our countries compete in the global economy. All these and many other efforts speak to the enduring bonds of friendship and the stronger partnership for the future that we have, not just between our governments but between our peoples.

Mr. President, I speak for President Obama and myself when I say that you, personally, have been an essential partner to the United States. And because of your commitment to building strong democratic institutions here in Colombia and to nurturing the bonds of friendship between our two countries, you leave a legacy of great progress that will be viewed in historic terms. I know, though, as you said yourself in your remarks here today, you realize how much more is yet to be done.

This morning, I met with the two remaining presidential candidates. This is a choice for the Colombian people to make, but I have to say that the first round of voting was a testament to the vibrancy and strength of Colombia’s democracy. And the United States will work closely and constructively with whomever the Colombian people choose in this second round.

So thank you once again, Mr. President. And you’re right; we had a wonderful dinner last night here in Bogota among friends, some Colombian, some American. And we talked about how remarkable it was that such a common event could take place. And as I drove here to the presidential palace and had the chance to look out the window at this absolutely magnificent city, my heart was filled with the hope that I know fills the hearts of so many Colombians, that what has been accomplished will only go from strength to strength. We will stand with the people of Colombia to make that so.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. (Applause.)

I forgot to put in the link - sorry - http://www.state.gov/secretary/20092013clinton/rm/2010/06/142945.htm

Looking for the above, here are articles that explain the trips by Bill Clinton. Like all things Clinton, it is a mixed bag! (Given McGovern's concerns, this was likely a trip that Bill Clinton should not have made near the time Secretary Clinton was coming.

In the same time frame, Bill Clinton went to Columbia to meet with Uribe to raise money for the Clinton Foundation for Haiti. http://colombiareports.com/uribe-meets-with-ex-us-president-bill-clinton/ -- and he visited with Frank Giustra - http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/05/03/travels-with-bill-and-frank-a-look-at-the-clinton-giustra-friendship/

[former9thward]

4. The State Department has scrubbed its web page of her remarks.

It was located here: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, “Joint Press Availability with President Uribe,” Bogota, Colombia, June 9, 2010, at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/06/142945.htm(July 9, 2010). Click on it and it has joined the emails in being deleted.

[karynnj]

5. I forgot to include the link, but here is one that works

http://www.state.gov/secretary/20092013clinton/rm/2010/06/142945.htm

It looks like the State Department archived all the Clinton ones into their own directory.

[former9thward]

6. Thanks, I did not know it had moved.

It just said "page not found".

[karynnj]

7. I didn't have the earlier link and found the new one with a google query

looking at the format, it is my hypothesis that the State Department did that to separate hers from the current Secretary's.

[Judi Lynn]

9. Please offer illumination on your cryptic remark. What can it possibly mean? n/t

[Judi Lynn]

10. From 2008: "The Clinton-Colombia Connection: It Goes Back a Long Way"

The Clinton-Colombia Connection: It Goes Back a Long Way
Posted: 04/09/2008 7:07 pm EDT Updated: 05/25/2011 12:30 pm EDT

. . .

First came chief strategist Mark Penn's "reassignment" following the embarrassing revelation of his side job advising the Colombian government on how to promote a trade agreement loudly decried by the candidate whose campaign has so far paid him and his firm $10,800,000 for his input. Then came word that Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson also has financial ties to Colombia via his involvement the Glover Park Group, a company founded by Clinton administration alum Joe Lockhart that has also been advising the Colombian government.

And, of course, there is the Whitman sampler of Colombian goodies gobbled up by Bill Clinton, including: $800,000 in speaking fees from a Colombian pro-free trade agreement group; a "Colombia is Passion" award bestowed by Colombia's president Alvaro Uribe (who honored the former president as an "unofficial minister of tourism&quot ; and a sweet Colombian oil field deal for a company Clinton pal Frank Giustra's investment firm had advised. Giustra is the mining magnate who has donated $31 million to Clinton's charitable fund, and whom Bill personally introduced to Colombian President Uribe (Giustra is the same guy Clinton helped land a uranium deal in Kazakhstan, but that's a Clinton story for a different blog post).

The Clinton-Colombia connection doesn't stop there -- and involves much, much more than a spousal disagreement over how free our trade with the Colombians should be. As President, Bill Clinton had initiated Plan Colombia, a $1.3 billion aid package to escalate the war on drugs in Colombia. I wrote a number of columns in 2000 and 2001 outlining the very troubling nature of this Clinton-backed initiative. I'll include the links at end of this post if you want a fuller history, but here is a quick refresher:

At the time, Colombia was in the midst of a four-decades long three-way civil war pitting the Colombian army, which has one of the worst human-rights records in the Western hemisphere, against leftist rebels and right-wing paramilitary groups, both largely funded by the drug trade (a war that continues to this day). Despite the abject failure of America's misguided war on drugs -- with the hundreds of billions spent on it failing to curtail drug use -- Clinton decided that another billion or so directed to Colombia would do the trick. The Colombian military's extensive ties to right wing death squads be damned! In fact, Clinton signed a waiver of human-rights provisions that Congress had imposed on the Colombia drug-war package.

More:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141200957

[KoKo]

11. A bit off topic for your post, but..

but this is worrisome from NYT article about Hillary Revamping her Campaign Strategy. If her Campaign has given the okay for Bill to start fundraising and campaigning for her then it shows that he will be very influential in the White House if she wins the Presidency. In a sense it will be a re-election of Bill for a Third Term or the "Two for the Price of One" that was touted the first time.

So...thanks for your post because we need to refresh our memories on policies of the Clinton Administration that many of us disagreed with both in hindsight and while they were occurring

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/09/08/us/politics/hillary-clinton-to-show-more-humor-and-heart-aides-say.html?referrer=&_r=0

From the NYT article:

And her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who has had virtually no presence on the campaign trail, will begin to travel the country to help with fund-raising this fall, with his first event planned for Chicago on Sept. 17.

[Judi Lynn]

12. His Plan Colombia has gotten a mountain of innocent Colombian people killed, ruined.It's a shame.n/t