COLOMBIA FAILS US AID CRITERIA ON RIGHTS RECORD

WASHINGTON: The Colombian Government has failed to meet human rights
conditions stipulated in a 1.3 billion dollar US aid package to the region,
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

The Washington-based group called on Monday on the US Government to suspend
the aid until the conditions are met.

HRW executive director for the Americas division Jose Miguel Vivanco told US
State Department officials last week that a key issue was the enforcement of
a 1997 Constitutional Court ruling calling for military personnel accused of
human rights violations to be prosecuted in civilian courts.

"Not a single one of the five human rights provisions contained in the
legislation has been satisfied," said Vivanco. "It would be inconceivable,
given Colombia's glaring human rights failings, for the State Department to
grant certification."

"From my discussions with them, I believe they understand this," he added.

Human Rights Watch also said that Colombian President Andres Pastrana has
not issued a directive to the armed forces ordering them to obey the
Constitutional Court, another specific requirement of US legislation.

The 1.3 billion dollar package approved by the administration of US
President Bill Clinton, is to boost Pastrana's "Plan Colombia" aimed at
fighting drug trafficking, supporting peace efforts with leftist rebels and
reviving Colombia's flagging economy.

The assistance package authorizes the United States to help Colombia fight
illegal drug trafficking but bars Washington from participating in
anti-insurgency operations.

Violence continues unabated in Colombia, with authorities reporting 47
deaths over the weekend blamed mostly on right-wing paramilitary units and
leftist rebel armies.

According to military sources, the paramilitary Self-Defense Units of
Colombia killed 10 farmhands in two villages in northeastern Antioquia
department -- paramilitaries often kill people they suspect fight for rebel
causes, while 15 guerrillas from the country's two main rebel groups died in
combats with the army.

The climate of violence has raised concerns over US President Bill Clinton's
brief 10-hour visit to the Caribbean port city of Cartagena on August 30.

Pastrana Monday met in Cartagena with local and federal officials in charge
of security arrangements, going over all the details of Clinton's visit,
military sources said.

Interior Minister Humberto De la Calle told reporters Monday that
"everything is ready" to ensure the safety of the US president.

Military sources said that several members of the US Central Intelligence
Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration
came to Colombia more than a week ago to make sure Cartagena and its
surroundings were clear of risk for Clinton.