DATE=3/8/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246363
TITLE=COLOMBIA ASSASSINATION (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: RIGHTIST DEATH SQUADS AND LEFTIST GUERRILLAS IN COLOMBIA
BOTH DENY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ASSASSINATION OF THREE AMERICANS
KIDNAPPED ON FEBRUARY 25TH NEAR THE VENEZUELAN BORDER.
CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK IN OUR SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU REPORTS THE
VICTIMS WERE HELPING INDIANS FIGHT OIL EXPLORATION.
TEXT: CALIFORNIA ECOLOGIST TERENCE FREITAS, AMERICAN INDIAN
INGRID WASHINAWATOK, AND HAWAIIAN CULTURAL CENTER DIRECTOR
LAHEENAE GAY WERE KIDNAPPED WHILE WORKING WITH THE U'WA INDIANS
IN NORTHEASTERN COLOMBIA. THEIR BODIES WERE FOUND LAST WEEK ON
THE VENEZUELAN SIDE OF THE ARAUCA RIVER.
THE U'WA INDIANS, AND COLOMBIAN AND U-S AUTHORITIES, SAY THE
SLAYINGS WERE CARRIED OUT BY LEFTIST GUERRILLAS KNOWN AS THE
REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA -- FARC.
A FARC COMMANDER, RAUL REYES, SAID SUNDAY THE GROUP IS NOT
RESPONSIBLE AND IS CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION, WHICH WILL BE
FINISHED ON WEDNESDAY.
// SPANISH ACT FADES UNDER //
COMMANDER REYES SAYS FARC REGRETS WHAT HAPPENED AND EXPRESSES ITS
CONDOLENCES TO THE U-S GOVERNMENT, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND THE
FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS OF THIS DEPLORABLE ACT.
COLOMBIA'S SECOND LARGEST REBEL GROUP, THE NATIONAL LIBERATION
ARMY, HAS ALSO DENIED RESPONSIBILITY.
FRIENDS OF ONE OF THE VICTIMS, MR. FREITAS, SAY HE WAS TRAILED BY
PRESUMED PARAMILITARIES ON AN EARLIER VISIT TO COLOMBIA AND
RECEIVED TELEPHONE DEATH THREATS. THE UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION FOR
THE ANTI-GUERRILLA PARAMLITARY GROUPS -- THE UNITED SELF-DEFENSE
FORCES OF COLOMBIA -- SENT A LETTER TO THE U'WA DENYING
RESPONSIBILTY AND BLAMING FARC.
THE U'WA THREATEN COLLECTIVE SUICIDE IF THE COLOMBIAN SUBSIDIARY
OF THE U-S FIRM OXIDENTAL PETROLEUM RESUMES OIL DRILLING IN THEIR
AREA. THE INDIANS BELIEVE THAT THEIR TERRTITORY IS THE HEART OF
THE UNIVERSE AND PETROLEUM IS THEIR BLOOD. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/KL
08-Mar-99 12:14 PM EST (1714 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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