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Updated:8/1/00 |
| Letter
to President Clinton from Sen. Paul D. Wellstone, July 28, 2000 July 28, 2000 The Honorable William J. Clinton Dear Mr. President, I am writing to express my grave reservations regarding Plan Colombia. I am concerned withthe Administration's ability to effectively manage the use of the resources that will be provided under the plan while protecting the human rights of Colombian citizens. At this time the United States cannot legitimately certify Colombia prior to the initial obligation of U.S. assistance and we therefore urge you not to make the certification. During the debate in Congress about the $1.3 billion dollar assistance package to Colombia, your Administration and the Colombian government pledged to reduce the production and supply of drugs while protecting the human rights of Colombian citizens. To ensure such protection, Congress conditioned U.S. assistance to Colombia on certification by the Secretary of State that Colombia is taking concrete steps to improve the human rights record of its Armed Forces. We understand that review for this certification is underway. It is my belief that several conditions required for certification have not been met. At present, the President of Colombia has issued no directive requiring that Colombian armed forces personnel accused of human right violations will be held accountable in civilian courts, nor has the Colombian military taken the firm, clear steps necessary to purge human rights abusers from its ranks or ensure that its personnel are not linked to paramilitary organizations. According to credible reports, paramilitary groups account for most of the political violence in Colombia today. Paramilitary groups are known to operate with the acquiescence or open support of the military, and in fact, more than half of Colombia's eighteen brigade-level army units have been linked to paramilitary activity. Given these facts, I believe your Administration cannot and should not certify Colombia to receive assistance under Plan Colombia. Colombia faces extraordinary challenges and we should respond to President Pastrana's call for help to combat illicit drug production and trafficking. U.S. support for Colombia, however, cannot include partnership with an army implicated in gross human rights violations. Sincerely, |
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