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DATE=10/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-240459
TITLE=COLOMBIA BLAST (L)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: COLOMBIA'S ARMY HAS DENIED ALLEGATIONS BY LEFTIST REBELS 
THAT IT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR A FIRE IN THE NORTHWESTERN DEPARTMENT
OF ANTIOQUIA THAT KILLED 48 PEOPLE AND INJURED SCORES OF OTHERS. 
WE HAVE DETAILS FROM CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK IN OUR SOUTH 
AMERICA BUREAU.
TEXT: COLOMBIA'S ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL FERNANDO TAPIAS, HAS 
REJECTED A REBEL COMMUNIQUE HINTING THAT THE ARMY STARTED THE 
FIRE, WHICH SWEPT DOWN THE POCONE RIVER EARLY SUNDAY AND 
DESTROYED A POOR COMMUNITY OF GOLD MINERS. GENERAL TAPIAS SAYS 
THE REBELS ARE CLEARLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRAGEDY. 
COLOMBIA'S SECOND LARGEST REBEL GROUP, THE NATIONAL LIBERATION 
ARMY, ISSUED A COMMUNIQUE ADMITTING THAT IT BLEW UP THE CENTRAL 
OIL PIPELINE IN THE AREA, BUT SAYS IT DID  NOT  START THE FIRE.  
THE COMMUNIQUE SAYS THE FIRE BROKE OUT ONE HOUR AND FIFTEEN 
MINUTES AFTER THE ATTACK ON THE PIPELINE, AT A LOCATION THREE 
KILOMETERS AWAY FROM THE BLAST, WHERE THE ARMY PATROLS REGULARLY.
THE REBELS ACCUSE GOVERNMENT TROOPS OF SETTING FIRES TO OIL 
SPILLED AFTER TWO PREVIOUS ATTACKS. 
THIRTY-FIVE OF THE PEOPLE KILLED IN SUNDAY'S FIRE WERE BURIED 
MONDAY IN A MASS GRAVE IN THE TOWN OF MACHUCA, IN AN EMOTIONAL 
FUNERAL SERVICE UNDER HEAVY ARMED GUARD.  SURVIVORS OF THE BLAZE 
SAY IT WAS A LIVING HELL, AND THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE END OF THE 
WORLD.  WOUNDED VICTIMS ARE BEING TREATED IN HOSPITALS IN 
MEDELLIN. 
THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY HAS BEEN BLOWING UP OIL 
INSTALLATIONS IN COLOMBIA FOR A DOZEN YEARS TO PROTEST FOREIGN 
INVOLVEMENT IN THE SECTOR.  SO FAR THIS YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN 
MORE THAN 60 SUCH ATTACKS. 
THE REBEL GROUP HAS AGREED TO TAKE PART IN A NATIONAL CONVENTION 
NEXT YEAR TO DISCUSS THE CAUSES OF THE ARMED CONFLICT AND PROPOSE
SOLUTIONS.  HOWEVER, IT SAID IN JULY THAT UNTIL THEN ITS ATTACKS 
ON OIL FACILITIES WILL CONTINUE.  (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/GE
20-Oct-98 8:46 AM EDT (1246 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.