Colombian leader comes out fighting in defense of anti-terrorist polices back home

By CONSTANT BRAND

10 February 2004 15:00

Associated Press Newswires

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP)

- Colombian President Alvaro Uribe came out fighting against European critics of his tough anti-terrorist policies Tuesday saying the measures were justified to bring an end to 40 years of conflict in his country.

Around 20 members of the European Parliament -- mostly socialists and greens-- staged a walkout to protest Uribe's policies when the Colombian leader started his address to the European Union assembly, meeting in Strasbourg, France. Uribe critics in Europe have focused on new legislation which give Colombia's armed forces sweeping powers to detain suspects without warrants, tap phones and search homes.

The United Nations and human rights groups like Amnesty International have questioned the need for such measures. Many EU lawmakers wore white scarves, with the slogan "peace and justice in Colombia" printed on them in protest of Uribe's visit. Uribe said the Europeans misunderstood his policies. "After the difficulties we've had in Colombia, the fact that certain political groups may boycott it is a minor point," Uribe told reporters after his speech.

"Human rights should not be used to cover up terrorist action, you need to get to know Colombia properly." Several groups in the 626-member EU assembly -- including the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Communists as well as many Socialists -- protested the visit. "We consider his visit at this time to be insensitive and inappropriate," said Green group leader Monica Frassoni. "There are too many open questions about human rights violations."

In his welcoming to Uribe, European President Pat Cox, a Liberal, also mentioned EU concerns on Uribe's tactics back home. "This parliament supports all efforts aimed at reforms and peace in Colombia, however there are fields which still need further action," Cox said. "We consider it essential ... to develop a fully functioning democratic state. Exceptions with respect to human rights are not acceptable." Uribe said his government was committed to upholding international standards on human rights but said his policies could end the conflict. "We want to restore law and order, while terrorism is the violator of human rights," he said.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and a smaller leftist rebel group have been battling to overthrow the government for 40 years and are blamed for most of the 3,000 kidnappings that take place in Colombia every year. After earlier talks with Uribe in Brussels, European Commission President Romano Prodi said the EU's head office would "support the government looking for a solution to the internal conflict," but said a peaceful solution should be found in line with international law.

Prodi said the EU was also looking to extend trade ties with Colombia and its Andean Community neighbors -- Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. Uribe said the EU had shown its "willingness to extend for 10 years" the general system of trade preferences for the Andean countries that would allow them to continue with tariff-free or low-tariff access to EU markets. Current preferential trade arrangements run out this year. At the parliament Uribe also reiterated that he would not negotiate an exchange of prisoners with his country's largest rebel group, which is holding dozens of hostages.

Uribe said the hostages held by FARC, were "good citizens" who cannot be exchanged for jailed guerrillas in jail. "The terrorists who are legitimately in prison, are another thing and we are not going to make any deals with them that will threaten our security," he said. His comments were his clearest rejection to date of a prisoner exchange, demanded by the FARC and generally supported by European officials. Uribe is in principle opposed to dealing with the FARC -- which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the EU -- but has said he would consider an exchange if rebels freed by the government go into exile and never return to Colombia.

Colombia produces 70 percent of the world's cocaine and the country's drug trade is controlled mainly by leftist rebels and their right-wing paramilitary foes. *******************************************************

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