Pubdate: Sun, 27 Jan 2002
Source: Chapel Hill News (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Chapel Hill News
Contact:  http://www.chapelhillnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1081
Author: Noreen Ordronneau

FUNDS ONLY FAN FLAMES OF COLOMBIAN CONFLICT

The news of the crisis and near breakdown of peace negotiations in Colombia 
is alarming. As a U.S. citizen, I am concerned that the U.S. government's 
funding of Plan Colombia to the tune of $1.3 billion in aid to a repressive 
Colombian military only escalates the conflict. Then, just as peace 
negotiations were deteriorating, the U.S. delivered an additional 14 Black 
Hawk helicopters to the Colombian military. This powerful weapon was 
delivered to the military that has the worst human rights record in the 
hemisphere.

The international community, including the United States, must step forward 
to push for and support peace negotiations and offer greater international 
participation and support in future talks.

The conflict in Colombia will not be solved through military means. It will 
only be solved through negotiations. I urge the U.S. government to support 
the peace process and end military assistance. Our actions are like 
throwing gasoline on a fire.

Noreen Ordronneau

Carrboro
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