Excerpts from State Department Daily Briefing, January 18, 2001

Excerpts from State Department Daily Briefing, January 18, 2001

Q On Colombia? Thanks. I want to know, there is supposed to be a certification on human rights in Colombia, but some press reports say that this year that certification is not necessary. What can you tell us about that?

MR. BOUCHER: Well, what we've done is we've submitted a voluntary report to our Congress -- or, are submitting a voluntary report to our Congress -- that provides our assessment of the progress that's been achieved by the Colombian government in addressing human rights issues. Human rights does remain a central issue in our bilateral relations with Colombia. We'll continue to engage the government of Colombia on concrete measures that it should take to improve its human rights performance.

The White House did determine that the legislation doesn't require formal certifications by the secretary of State or a waiver by the president in order to proceed to spend the money that's appropriated by the emergency supplemental, but the president decided that we should submit a voluntary report to our Congress that provides our assessment of the progress.

In terms of the progress, we note general progress by the Colombian government and the armed forces on most human rights issues. This report will offer the evidence of progress and improvement in matters involving civilian judicial jurisdiction over the military, separation of suspected human rights abusers from the armed forces, development of proper judicial procedures within the military, and efforts to control the paramilitary forces in Colombia. The report will also note areas where we think additional steps should be taken by the Colombian government.

Q There was no official announcement from the department of State or the White House about this issue? I mean --

MR. BOUCHER: Well, I'm answering your question now. I'm telling you what is going on. The report is being prepared and submitted.

I'm sure we'll be able to make copies available as soon as possible.

Q But wait, it falls to the next administration to determine the question of waivers or non-waivers, is that right?

MR. BOUCHER: Well, there was the question whether another report was required by the law and -- report and then subsequently waivers depending on the findings -- before the expiration of President Clinton's term, I believe. And so the White House has determined that we don't believe legislation requires that -- that kind of formal certification, but in order to -- so that's the determination that's been made. I suppose other lawyers in a future administration could decide the law is somewhat different, but that's the determination that's been made. But we are submitting a voluntary report. And obviously any future administration would decide whether to submit a voluntary report or not.

Q (Off mike) -- there was a waiver last August or so of five or so of the conditions.

MR. BOUCHER: Mmm hmm.

Q And now you're saying that you're not certain that waivers are actually --

MR. BOUCHER: No, I'm not questioning that. That was required. There was a question as to whether another one was required or not before the end of this administration. That determination is that there's not another one -- the determination was made there is not another report required. But as I said, it's being done voluntarily.

Q But you're going to give it to them anyway?

Q When is that being submitted?

MR. BOUCHER: We're going to give them a report anyway because we want them to know about the human rights situation in Colombia. They're concerned about it on the Hill. We're concerned about it here. The government in Colombia is concerned about it, so we've written a report on the human rights situation in Colombia to tell them the answers to questions we know they have.

Q And when is that going to get up to the Hill?

MR. BOUCHER: I will have to check on the exact timing. I don't know.

Q But I can't go past -- it has got to be delivered basically before noon on Saturday.

MR. BOUCHER: Got to be delivered before on Saturday, that's for sure.

Okay.

Q Thank you.

MR. BOUCHER: Thank you.