09 July 2003
Powell Certifies that Colombia Meets Requirements for U.S. Aid
(Determination triggers the release of $31.6 million in assistance)
(500)
By Scott Miller
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- Secretary of State Colin Powell certified to the U.S.
Congress on July 7 that the Colombian government and armed forces are
meeting U.S. congressional criteria related to human rights and
severance of ties to paramilitary groups.
Under U.S. law, 75 percent of U.S. assistance to Colombia may be
disbursed without the secretary of state's certification. The release
of the remaining 25 percent, however, is released in two tranches of
12.5 percent each and is contingent upon the secretary's determination
that Colombia is meeting the conditions set by the U.S. Congress.
These conditions include that Colombian authorities sever links with
paramilitary organizations and execute outstanding orders for the
capture of paramilitary leaders. Other requirements are that the
Colombian armed forces suspend military officers credibly alleged to
have committed gross human rights violations or to have aided or
abetted paramilitary organizations. The armed forces must also
cooperate with civilian authorities in prosecuting and punishing such
individuals.
According to a July 8 statement issued by the State Department, Powell
made the decision to certify Colombia's compliance with these criteria
following discussions with the Colombian government and armed forces,
consultations with international and Colombian human rights
organizations, and based on information provided by the U.S. Embassy
in Bogotá.
Powell's determination will trigger the release of the first tranche
of 12.5 percent, or $31.6 million, in aid to Colombia. The secretary
will determine at the end of August or early September 2003 whether to
release the remaining $31.6 million of U.S. assistance to Colombia, a
senior State Department official said at a July 8 briefing.
While lauding Colombia's "notable progress" on human rights issues,
the State Department indicated that there is room for continued
improvement. In its July 8 statement, the State Department said "human
rights are central to our policy in Colombia," adding "we recognize
that more needs to be done to improve the human rights performance of
the [Colombian] armed forces, including ending military-paramilitary
collaboration."
Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe, the State Department said, shares
these concerns and is committed to working with the United States to
achieve these objectives.
The senior State Department official said that suspension or dismissal
of several dozen members of Colombia's armed forces for links to -- or
activities related to -- the nation's illegal armed groups suggests
that there are still some remaining links to such groups, but he
argued that these suspensions or dismissals also demonstrate the Uribe
Administration's commitment to take action against the perpetrators of
human rights violations.
Overall, the official concluded, the Uribe Administration has been
"very successful" to date and has made "significant progress" in
improving security and advancing coca eradication efforts in Colombia.
Assessing Uribe's achievements thus far, the official said: "We think,
by and large, he's had a good first eleven months" as head of state.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)
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