Colombia This Week -- editing date 21/09/01

Weds 12 - Powell to visit Colombia as soon as possible

US Secretary of State, Colin Powell tells Pastrana he will visit Colombia as soon as possible. He reiterates US support for Plan Colombia and for social and economic development policies

 

Fri 14 - Serpa to march to DMZ; European NGO says 546.6 hectares of food crops damaged

Presidential candidate, Horacio Serpa says he will lead a march to demilitarised zone on 28 September to demand FARC commitment to peace talks. FARC say his security cannot be guaranteed

Government representatives meet FARC leaders in demilitarised zone to discuss peace and humanitarian exchange. Head of Liberal Party, Luis Guillermo Vélez accuses Pastrana of forming alliance with FARC

European Network for Brotherhood and Solidarity with Colombia say approximately 546.6 hectares of subsistence crops have been damaged in Cimitarra River Valley (Cimitarra) since aerial spraying was resumed

FARC guerrillas reportedly blow up gas pipeline in Montes de Maria (Bolivar)

 

Sun 16 - Marulanda's trusted aide dies; 4,601 inmates freed under new Penal Code

Up to 15 campesinos are reportedly killed by paramilitaries in Frias (Tolima)

FARC guerrillas condemn US terrorist attacks but say they are result of US foreign policy

Police defuse bomb reportedly planted by ELN guerrillas under bridge in La Loma (Santander)

Presidential candidate, Serpa says situation in Colombia is worse than 3 years ago. He says that if elected he would launch social programmes

Army officials confirm death of José Gilberto Lopez Vallejo, trusted aide of FARC leader, Marulanda

Statistics supplied by National Institute of Prisons and Penitentiaries (INPEC) say about 4,601 inmates have been freed since new Penal Code was introduced on 24 July

 

Mon 17 - Marulanda criticises US interference; Up to 15 IRA members may have entered DMZ

In public letter FARC chief, Marulanda accuses US of interfering with Colombian internal affairs by sending military advisers and mercenaries. He says peace talks will collapse if demilitarised zone is not extended

Army officials say another 2 suspected IRA members entered demilitarised zone in April 2001. Unconfirmed reports suggest up to 15 more may have visited the area since 1998

US special envoy to Northern Ireland, Richard Haas says all links between IRA and FARC must be severed

Officials at Cano Limon oil pipeline say decreased guerrilla attacks have led to increase in oil pumping

Conservative Senator, Carlos Holguin Sardi says no FARC - government agreement exists on constituent assembly although he says he would support one

 

Tues 18 - Serpa would re-negotiate Plan Colombia; MINGA staff harassed

Presidential candidate, Serpa says if elected he will renegotiate Plan Colombia with US to launch more social projects. He says he supports aerial spraying of industrial-sized coca plantations but not of smaller producers

Serpa confirms plans to march to demilitarised zone saying he is willing to sacrifice his life to save Colombia

Amnesty International issues urgent action request after members of human rights organisation, MINGA are followed and harassed in Bogotá by suspected paramilitaries

Director of Colombian Department of Administrative Security (DAS), Colonel German Jaramillo says CIA and FBI have called on DAS to help investigate international terrorism

 

Weds 19 - Facilitating countries suspend meeting with FARC; Indigenous groups fight over land

Amnesty International issues urgent action request after paramilitaries reportedly kill 4 members of San Francisco de Asis peace community in Chocó

2 FARC members arrested for allegedly planning to use ETA-style bomb to attack businessman in Bogotá

Countries facilitating peace process with FARC say meeting with FARC planned for 26 September will be suspended until 3 German hostages are released

Ambaló and Guambía indigenous communities in Silvia (Cauca) declare war over territorial disputes

 

Thurs 20 - Fiscalía official killed; 6 governors reiterate support for manual eradication

Presidential candidate, Uribe Vélez says he will attract Liberal voters in election next year. He claims support of National Salvation Movement and at least 3 Conservative leaders

IRA deny claims that they have sent members to train and co-operate with Colombia guerrillas

Amnesty International issues urgent action after human rights defender and director of Pastoral Social, Yolanda Ceron is killed by suspected paramilitaries in Tumaco (Nariño)

Director of Judicial Police of Technical Investigations Force in Norte de Santander, Jesús David Corzo is killed by unidentified gunmen

Army chief, General Fernando Tapias says Colombian army are ready to provide troops for international anti-terrorism campaign called for by US

11 year old schoolgirl is kidnapped from school-bus by unidentified men in Cal (Valle del Cauca)

Governors from 6 southern states reiterate opposition to aerial spraying and support for manual eradication

 

Fri 21 - 24 guerrillas die in Guaviare

Army chief, Tapias says at least 24 FARC guerrillas have died in clashes with army in El Retorno (Guaviare)

NB. CTW has been informed by US Immigration & Naturalization Service that TPS for Colombians is not yet approved but under review

 

Colombia This Week is a news summary produced and distributed by ABColombia Group. Sources include daily Colombian, US, European and Latin American newspapers, and reports from non-governmental organisations and the UN System. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the ABColombia Group.

 

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