31 October 2001
Text: U.S. Revoking Visas of United Self-Defense Supporters
(Four Colombian citizens supported terrorist group, State Dept. says)
(360)
In its ongoing efforts to fight terrorism, the United States is
revoking the visas of four Colombian citizens "who have collaborated
with, or supported financially, the United Self-Defense Forces of
Columbia (AUC)," the State Department said in a press release issued
October 30.
According to the State Department, the United States government has
formally designated the AUC as a foreign terrorist organization as
defined by U.S. law.
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
October 30, 2001
STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN
U.S. Revoking Visas of United Self-Defense Supporters
As part of our ongoing efforts to oppose terrorism, the United States
government is revoking the U.S. non-immigrant visas of four Colombian
citizens who have collaborated with, or supported financially, the
United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). We are also adding to
our lookout systems the names of 45 individuals with links to the AUC
to ensure that these individuals are denied U.S. visas.
This is only a first step. As we develop additional information on
individuals who belong to, collude with or support financially the
AUC, we will proceed to revoke U.S. visas of those who hold them, and
add to the watch list the names of those who do not. We will continue
to work with the government of Colombia to develop information on AUC
members, supporters and financiers.
On September 10, the U.S. government designated the AUC a Foreign
Terrorist Organization as defined by U.S. law. Organizations that we
had previously designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under
U.S. law include the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and
the Army of National Liberation (ELN). Our visa policy applies equally
to individuals associated with all three groups, which were designated
under U.S. law due to their commission of massacres, kidnappings of
civilians, and participation in the trafficking of narcotics.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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