Colombia's congress opens preliminary probe into Uribe's re-election

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia's congress opens preliminary probe into Uribe's re-election

The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 28, 2008

BOGOTA, Colombia: A Colombian congressional panel has opened a preliminary investigation into President Alvaro Uribe in a scandal over alleged favors offered a lawmaker to enable his 2006 re-election.

The investigation began Tuesday. The commission will determine whether a complaint by opposition lawmakers merits a probe or should be shelved.

Former lawmaker Yidis Medina is under arrest in the scandal.

She has testified that aides of Uribe offered her political appointments in exchange for voting to change the constitution so Uribe could run for a second term.

http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=13291978


Álvaro Uribe

[Judi Lynn]

1. Lawmakers begin probe of Uribe reelection

Lawmakers begin probe of Uribe reelection

A preliminary probe was opened in Colombia amid accusations of favors offered by President Alvaro Uribe in exchange for reelection support.

Posted on Thu, May. 29, 2008

BOGOTA -- (AP) -- A Colombian congressional panel opened a preliminary investigation into President Alvaro Uribe in a scandal over alleged favors offered a lawmaker to enable Uribe's 2006 reelection.

The investigation began Tuesday, said Rep. Edgar Ulises, a member of the Commission of Accusations of the Chamber of Representatives, which is to determine whether a complaint by opposition lawmakers merits a probe or should be shelved.

Former lawmaker Yidis Medina has testified that aides of Uribe offered her political appointments in exchange for voting to change the constitution so Uribe could seek a second term.

Medina said that in 2004 Uribe, then-Interior Minister Sabas Pretelt and then-secretary general of the presidency Alberto Velásquez offered her ''whatever she wanted'' in exchange for her vote favoring the reelection.
(snip)

The commission, which is largely made up of backers of Uribe, is the only tribunal that can judge a sitting president.

More:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/550304.html