COLOMBIAN PARAMILITARIES' BRUTALITY WELL DOCUMENTED

Your Aug. 20 editorial "The Southern Terror Front" says that "Colombia's
terrorists are drug-running Marxist rebels" and cites Donald Rumsfeld's
recent statement that "The Colombians are in every sense holding up their
side of the partnership against narcoterrorism." Are you unaware of
Colombia's pro-government paramilitary groups that have carried out brutal
massacres in recent years; that were responsible for the majority of
"disappearances" and forced displacement of civilians last year; that are
considered a "foreign terrorist organization" by the State Department; and
that control an estimated 40% of the Colombian drug trade; and that
collaborate with the Colombian military?

I encourage you to take a closer look at the work of human-rights
organizations, which vigorously, consistently and publicly denounce abuses
by the guerrillas, paramilitaries and Colombian Armed Forces. The
condemnation of violence on all sides should serve as an example, and
encourage a retraction of the assertion that the human-rights concerns
cited by the State Department come from guerrilla sympathizers.

Consider the findings of the Colombian Commission of Jurists, a reputable
human-rights organization with consultative status before the U.N. Economic
and Social Council. Of the human-rights and international humanitarian-law
violations that occurred in noncombat situations during the past year, and
for which responsibility could be determined, the paramilitaries committed
62% of violations (1,220 victims), the guerrillas were responsible for 30%
(600 victims), and state security forces committed 8% (152 victims). While
some of the victims were likely sympathetic to one armed group or another,
many rejected both the paramilitaries and guerrillas. All these attacks are
abominable and should be considered by the State Department. All these
victims and the organizations that document their suffering are desperate
for an end to the violence, and deserve more respect from your paper.

Peter Clark

Senior Associate U.S. Office on Colombia

Washington