Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Colombia: Paramilitaries to join army?

Background:

Bush is considering how to support the government of Colombia's efforts to demobilize the AUC with taxpayer money even though Colin Powell declared the AUC a terrorist organization on September 10, 2001, and in spite of the fact that Castaño, former leader of the AUC, now in Israel is wanted for extradition to the US on charges of cocaine trafficking.

The US has covertly supported the overthrow of Hugo Chavez to that end it is expected that Colombia will send troops at US insistence, possibly alongside US marines or Special Forces, or AUC units replete with Colombian soldiers.

Bush wants Chavez out, the AUC is one of the means mentioned to take Chavez out and Bush would like the AUC, terrorist organization par excellence, to be supported by US taxpayers.
#msg-3967170

Now in a very curious announcement it appears the AUC who last week adamantly opposed the idea of joining the Colombian army will not join the army in battles against the nation's left-wing rebels according to an AUC proposal, but instead the paramilitary negotiators suggested they perform patrol duties and intelligence gathering.

Since the AUC was originally targeted by the US to assist in the downfall of Chavez the patrol duties and intelligence gathering will most probably be directed against Chavez and Venezuela.

Its no wonder Venezuela is loading up on military hardware.
#msg-4374949

-Am

Colombia: Paramilitaries to join army?



Bogota, Colombia, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Colombia's largest paramilitary group suggested their demobilized troops join the nation's army, El Tiempo newspaper reported Wednesday.


The right-wing United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC, is set to demobilize 3,000 of its 20,000 troops by the end of the year.

The demobilized AUC troops would not join the Colombian army in battles against the nation's left-wing rebels, according to an AUC proposal. Instead the paramilitary negotiators suggested they perform patrol duties and intelligence gathering.

Last week AUC troops adamantly opposed the idea of joining the army, making Wednesday's announcement appear somewhat curious to Colombian officials.

The ongoing peace negotiations between President Alvaro Uribe and the AUC have experienced their share of snags in recent months -- such as repeated cease-fire violations -- but reached a surprising agreement earlier this month regarding the decommissioning of 3,000 troops.

Many, however, express doubt the AUC will actually lay down their arms. In exchange for peace, the paramilitaries are demanding amnesty and immunity from extradition to the United States, where many AUC leaders are wanted on drug charges.

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041027-121521-4939r.htm