News (Media Awareness Project) - US: Clinton Under Fire For Approving Aid To Colombia |
| Title: | US: Clinton Under Fire For Approving Aid To Colombia |
| Published On: | 2000-08-29 |
| Source: | Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 10:51:14 |
CLINTON UNDER FIRE FOR APPROVING AID TO COLOMBIA
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Three human-rights groups criticized the Clinton administration Monday for aiding the Colombian military, saying the government of President Andres Pastrana has failed to meet any of the human-rights criteria set by Congress.
President Clinton, who is to visit Colombia on Wednesday, waived several of the conditions and released $1.3 billion in mostly antidrug aid for Colombia last week. The conditions were aimed at bringing human-rights violators to justice.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) all assailed Clinton's decision.
"You can't defeat your enemies when your allies commit human-rights abuses," said George Vickers of WOLA at a news conference.
Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., also issued a strong protest.
"I am very concerned that many of the credible reports of extrajudicial executions and other gross abuses committed by paramilitaries often linked to Colombian army officials ... would result in those charged with these crimes being tried in military rather than civilian courts."
Aid to Colombia is intended to help the military take control of cocaine-producing regions held by leftist guerrillas and some right-wing paramilitaries.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Three human-rights groups criticized the Clinton administration Monday for aiding the Colombian military, saying the government of President Andres Pastrana has failed to meet any of the human-rights criteria set by Congress.
President Clinton, who is to visit Colombia on Wednesday, waived several of the conditions and released $1.3 billion in mostly antidrug aid for Colombia last week. The conditions were aimed at bringing human-rights violators to justice.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) all assailed Clinton's decision.
"You can't defeat your enemies when your allies commit human-rights abuses," said George Vickers of WOLA at a news conference.
Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., also issued a strong protest.
"I am very concerned that many of the credible reports of extrajudicial executions and other gross abuses committed by paramilitaries often linked to Colombian army officials ... would result in those charged with these crimes being tried in military rather than civilian courts."
Aid to Colombia is intended to help the military take control of cocaine-producing regions held by leftist guerrillas and some right-wing paramilitaries.
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