Colombia: Treaty with U.S. invalid

[Judi Lynn]

May 17, 2005

Colombia: Treaty with U.S. invalid

By Kim Housego
Associated Press


BOGOTA, Colombia — A treaty with the United States granting diplomatic immunity to American soldiers stationed in Colombia apparently violates Colombia’s constitution, a top official said.
(snip)

Maya’s comments to a gathering of prosecutors in Bogota late Monday came after seven American servicemen were arrested in separate drug- and arms-smuggling plots in the past three months.
(snip)

Despite intense pressure, U.S. Ambassador William Wood has refused to lift the soldiers’ immunity, insisting they will face justice in U.S. military courts. However, he indicated Washington was open to reviewing the treaty at Colombia’s request.

Earlier this month, two U.S. soldiers — a warrant officer and a sergeant — were arrested in a plot to funnel more than 40,000 rounds of ammunition to a far-right death squad considered a terrorist organization by the United States. In March, five U.S. military personnel were detained for allegedly smuggling cocaine to the United States.
(snip/...)

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-855538.php

[Judi Lynn]

1. A bad plan in Colombia

A bad plan in Colombia

José Miguel Vivanco and Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno International Herald Tribune

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2005

BOGOTÁ After pouring $3 billion into Plan Colombia, the United States is about to be betrayed by one of its closest allies in the fight against drugs and terror. The Colombian government is putting the final touches on a scheme to launder the criminal records of top paramilitary commanders - including some of the country's most powerful drug lords - while allowing them to keep their wealth and maintain their control over much of the country. Should the plan be approved, it will be an enormous setback for U.S. counternarcotics and counterterror efforts, as well as for human rights in Colombia.

It was the United States, ironically, that set the stage for this scheme by requesting the extradition of these commanders. Not only has the United States deemed Colombia's paramilitaries to be a terrorist group, government prosecutors have indicted a number of paramilitary commanders for bringing tons of cocaine into the country. It was those commanders who initiated demobilization negotiations with the Colombian government, hoping to reach a deal that would allow them to avoid extradition to America.

Handled well, the negotiations could benefit both Colombia and the United States. Paramilitaries and guerrillas have been fighting for control of Colombia's resources for decades. Fueled by money from drugs and extortion, these mafia-like groups have killed thousands of civilians with impunity. The paramilitaries, in particular, are notorious for their atrocities, which include countless massacres, abductions and "disappearances."
(snip)

Unfortunately, powerful political forces in Colombia have been pressing to give the paramilitaries a pass, letting them keep their wealth and power. Colombia's Congress is poised to approve a bill, backed by President Álvaro Uribe, that would allow top commanders to serve as little as two years behind bars for their crimes. These pathetically short prison terms would cover even the worst atrocities and the narco-trafficking for which they are wanted in the United States.
(snip/...)

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/15/opinion/edviva.php



Álvaro Uribe and _Bush during _Bush's
excellent trip to Colombia. It might appear they were impressed.
Or not.

[leftchick]

6. Excellent Photos Judi Lynn!

:hi: Thank you! I love the 'bush Terrorista number one'!

[Alpharetta]

2. it's almost like they don't like our help

maybe they see how well we've helped in Iraq and decided US help isn't all it's cracked up to be

[bvar22]

3. No man,...they just read Newsweek!

The World hates us because of Newsweek. Scottie said so.

[bemildred]

4. Does this mean we have to withold military aid?

:-) :-) :-)

[AP]

5. The US thinks Chavez has no credibility because, we allege, he aids...

...left wing paramilitary groups in Columbia (a claim which is contradicted by evidence of VZ arresting paramilitaries at the border).

Yet, here was have evidence of US government employees aiding right wing terrorist groups.

Hmm.

[xchrom]

7. it just never occurs to the government that maybe demand

is the problem and not supply.

with all the money that is available for those willing to break the law -- you can bet that cocaine wealth not only runs deep in colombia but in the u.s. as well.
and i'm not EVEN talking our popular image of drug lords here in the u.s.

[Javaman]

8. One thing I have to give moron*...

He has the very unique ability at not only pissing off nations, but now it appears he can piss of whole continents!!

I reiterate: Colossal Jackass. Worse president ever!

[reprobate]

9. Amazing how most of south america is rebelling against US.

Venezuala, Brazil, columbia, equador. I've heard that even mexico has socialist agitation going on. One day soon we may be all alone in our arrogence.

But with south and central americ becoming socialist, (and there's nothing wrong with that) how long will it take until the same thing happens here. And I have the feeling that when it does happen here, we wil be welcomed back into the fold of civilization.

[struggle4progress]

10. kick