Colombia 'will not try US troops' (despite bilateral agreement)

[camitche]

From BBC:

"Colombian senators have been calling for the men, who were based in the country, to be extradited from the US.

But US ambassador William Wood said the soldiers are immune from prosecution.

More than 200 Colombian citizens have been extradited to the US to face trial for drug trafficking, under a bilateral deal between the two countries.

Colombian politicians have asked the government to push for the US to hand over the men, arguing that the extradition agreement works both ways.

"In practical terms, these military personnel committed the alleged crime in Colombia, and according to the extradition treaty, which is bilateral, they should be tried here," legislator Gustavo Petro said."

Whole article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4420329.stm

This is exactly why other countries are so fed up with us. We do whatever we want. We hold other countries to standards we don't follow.

Does anyone think that these soldiers should not be extradited?

[Judi Lynn]

1. Bush respects all laws that benefit certain American Republicans

otherwise, screw it: it's everyman for himself.

From the article:

He also argued that the men were working for US embassy staff in Colombia and therefore qualify for diplomatic immunity.

He sought to assure Bogota that the soldiers, who are thought to be in military custody somewhere in the US, would not escape justice.

"We do not tolerate corruption," he said.
(snip/...)

Where does he stand on Enron?

It seems they not only are American secret forces, they are also DIPLOMATS of a sort! Cool! They are simply beyond the reach of Colombian law. Condolences to Colombia.

The article points out Colombia will not be pursuing the matter, as they LIVE for our massive cash infusions, third only to Israel, and Egypt. We are buying their honor.

[camitche]

3. Diplomats? I don't think so.

The article says there are thousands of our soldiers there. They all qualify as diplomats? That's absurd and everyone involves knows it.

Yeah, I thought the "we do not tolerate corruption" line was funny too, because this is corrupt. It's so blatantly oxymoronic, that it's hilarious.

[aneerkoinos]

2. Hell no

That would be a dangerous precedent that would make it much more difficult for US to protect ex-Dictators and terrorists wanted for trial in the countries they committed their crimes in.

[camitche]

4. Very true.

It's funny that we've got our panties in a wad over Bobby Fischer, but we want act in a manner that we ask of other countries.

It must be because we are superior to them in every conceivable way. *sarcasm*

[Name removed]

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