COLOMBIAN OUT TO PROVE INNOCENCE TO U.S.

Chief Of Group Called Terrorist By Washington Says He'd Surrender To
Address Drug Charges

BOGOTA, Colombia - The chief of Colombia's brutal paramilitary groups,
Carlos Castano, said that if the United States seeks his extradition for
drug trafficking, he will surrender to prove his innocence, according to an
interview published Sunday.

The right-wing militias have agreed to re-create their national umbrella
organization, with Mr. Castano leading it again, during a clandestine
meeting in the mountains of northern Colombia, according to a letter posted
on the group's Web site.

The organization, known as the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or
AUC, splintered in July after Mr. Castano said some of the militias were
engaged in drug trafficking and kidnapping, instead of focusing on their
primary task of fighting leftist rebels.

The AUC, which Washington considers a terrorist organization, is made up of
militias that are accused of the majority of the massacres in Colombia's
bloody civil war. About 3,500 people die every year in the 38-year conflict.

The AUC said in the letter on its Web site that the organization was
re-forming because the Colombian government couldn't protect many regions
of the country from the rebels.

"We hold the guerrillas exclusively responsible for Colombia's war and for
its consequence, that Colombians have been forced to take up arms as the
only way to live," said the letter.

The document was signed by Mr. Castano; Salvatore Mancuso, the group's
military chief; Mr. Castano's brother, Vicente, and 15 local militia leaders.

The letter was addressed to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan; Anne
Patterson, U.S. ambassador to Colombia; Colombia's peace commissioner; and
the president of the Colombian Episcopal Conference.

U.S. officials have declined to comment on reports that they were
considering asking for Mr. Castano's extradition on drug-trafficking charges.

"If the ... [rumor] about extradition is true, tomorrow I will turn myself
in to the United States," Mr. Castano told Colombia's largest newspaper, El
Tiempo. "That is the best way to defend myself. I prefer to clarify there,
rather than respond here, for things I haven't done."

In its letter, the AUC rejected drug trafficking by its members, promised
to respect international humanitarian rights and said the group wanted to
be included in future peace negotiations.

"Any member of the AUC that becomes involved in drug trafficking at the
level of processing, shipment or exportation will be publicly exposed by
us," the letter said, apparently leaving open the possibility that militia
members can continue taxing coca growers. The paramilitaries and the rebels
have financed their fight through drug trafficking.

Sen. Rafael Pardo, a former defense minister and negotiator in peace talks
with the now-defunct M19 rebel group, called Mr. Castano's offer to turn
himself in a "publicity stunt."

"Why doesn't he turn himself in to Colombian authorities who do have
warrants for him?" he asked.

Two militias were left out of the reorganized AUC. One, from Bolivar state,
is believed to be heavily involved in drug trafficking. The other, based in
Meta state, was blamed for the kidnapping of a prominent Venezuelan
businessman who was released in July. Mr. Castano dissolved the AUC shortly
after he exposed the Meta militia's involvement in the kidnapping.

The right-wing militias originally sprung up in Colombia to protect
landowners from kidnapping by leftist rebels. Colombia has the highest
kidnapping rate in the world, with more than 3,000 people taken hostage
last year.

Rebels released nine people Sunday who were taken hostage from a popular
beach resort three weeks ago, government officials said. The insurgents
continue to hold 18 other people who were kidnapped the same day.