Pubdate: Mon, 29 May 2006
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Page: A17
Copyright: 2006 The Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Plan+Colombia
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Colombia
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/coca
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

COLOMBIANS KEEP URIBE IN POWER IN LANDSLIDE

U.S. Ally Has Led Fight vs. Rebels

BOGOTA, Colombia, May 28 -- President Alvaro Uribe was reelected in a 
landslide Sunday in Colombia's most peaceful elections in more than a 
decade, strengthening the U.S. ally's mandate to crack down on armed 
groups and drug traffickers.

Uribe's win marks the first time in more than a century that an 
incumbent Colombian leader has been reelected, and bucks a trend of 
leftist leaders taking office across South America.

With 96 percent of ballots counted, the conservative Uribe won a 
stronger-than-expected 62 percent of the vote, according to official 
results. A majority was needed to win in the first round and avoid a runoff.

In second place, with 22 percent, was Sen. Carlos Gaviria of the 
Alternative Democratic Pole party. Gaviria's strong support -- a 
record outcome for the left -- confirmed the growing strength of the 
democratic left in this conservative nation. Horacio Serpa, of the 
century-old Liberal Party, finished third with just under 12 percent 
of the vote.

"We're very happy with the results," Gaviria told Caracol Radio 
Sunday night after recognizing his defeat. "For the first time in the 
country's history, the main opposition party will be comprised of the 
democratic left."

In recent years, left-leaning leaders have taken office in Bolivia, 
Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.

Sunday's vote took place amid relative calm -- underscoring a big 
reason Colombians backed Uribe. He is credited with bringing down 
crime rates and violence while overseeing economic growth.

Uribe's critics say he has shown a lack of interest in social 
programs despite the country's rampant poverty and fear that his 
reelection will lead to a strengthening of his alleged autocratic tendencies.

There were no reported attacks on voters during the election, but the 
military reported killing 12 rebels in clashes with the Revolutionary 
Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, on Saturday and Sunday. Three 
soldiers were injured. It was not clear whether the clashes were 
election-related.

About 220,000 troops guarded polling stations, shopping centers and 
other sensitive areas after what experts called the most peaceful 
campaign in more than a decade in a nation battered by violence 
involving leftist rebels, right-wing militias, drug traffickers and 
security forces.

Uribe is the first incumbent to be reelected in Colombia since 
President Rafael Nunez in 1892. A constitutional amendment Uribe 
pushed through Congress last year allowed him to seek a second term.

Despite predictions of low turnout in a race in which the outcome 
seemed certain, thousands of people shook off the chill and damp of 
the morning to vote early at the country's largest polling station, 
in central Bogota.

Camouflaged tanks rolled down a leafy street, and heavily armed 
combat troops frisked motorists at random checkpoints.

While there has been a dramatic drop in kidnappings and murders under 
Uribe's government, an end to the violence perpetrated by leftist 
rebels remains elusive.

Rebels who control huge tracts of the countryside have traditionally 
tried to assert their presence ahead of elections by stepping up 
attacks and politically motivated kidnappings.

According to a study by the independent Security and Democracy 
Foundation, 55 politically motivated killings and kidnappings were 
registered over the past 12 months -- an 81 percent reduction from 
the year before the prior elections, in 2002, when the FARC kidnapped 
candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who remains captive.

As part of his "democratic security" agenda, Uribe has put 25 percent 
more troops and police on the streets during four years in office. 
Military spending has nearly doubled, backed by $4 billion in U.S. 
aid for the anti-drug effort known as Plan Colombia.

Also since 2002, about 30,000 members of the United Self-Defense 
Forces of Colombia have handed in their weapons as part of a 
government-brokered amnesty deal with the paramilitary group.

Colombia remains the world's largest producer of cocaine. Uribe is 
urging the United States to beef up a fleet of 20 planes that spray coca crops. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake