Colombia peace process endangered by court rule: AUC leader

[Judi Lynn]

UPDATED: 13:10, June 14, 2006
Colombia peace process endangered by court rule: AUC leader

A former leader of the paramilitary group the Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) warned Tuesday that the recently demobilized Colombian paramilitary would take up arms again after a court rule overturned key provisions of the Justice and Peace Law.

"I am convinced that many of the former combatants would prefer to die in the mountains rather than spend 30 to 40 years in jail," said former AUC leader Ivan Roberto Duque, alias Ernesto Baez.

Over 30,000 AUC paramilitaries handed in their guns under Colombia's Justice and Peace Law during a peace process sponsored by the government of President Alvaro Uribe.

However, last month the Constitutional Court threw out part of the law that said that militia members who turned in their arms would serve no more than eight years for crimes such as drug smuggling, massacre and torture.

The court also ruled that paramilitaries convicted of crimes prior to the peace process must serve full sentences. That would mean warlords who took part in massacres would serve their original sentences.
(snip/...)

http://english.people.com.cn/200606/14/eng20060614_273940.html





Iván Roberto Duque 'Ernesto Báez'

[Bacchus39]

1. so I guess it would better if the peace process continued as agreed

no?

[Judi Lynn]

2. Colombian paramilitaries may opt for war over jail

Tue 13 Jun 2006

Colombian paramilitaries may opt for war over jail
By Hugh Bronstein

BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Colombia's far-right paramilitaries, in peace talks with the government, would rather fight than serve the full prison terms called for by a May court decision, a militia spokesman said on Tuesday.

"I am convinced that for many of our ex-combatants it is preferable to die in the mountains than spend 40 years in jail," paramilitary spokesman Ivan Roberto Duque, alias Ernesto Baez, told local radio.

"Terrible days are on the way," he added,
(snip)

The Justice and Peace law, adopted last year, applies to members of any illegal armed group who want to turn themselves in, but the government has made little progress in making peace with left-wing rebels who say they are fighting for socialism in a country with wide gaps between rich and poor.
(snip/)

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=871452006

[mom cat]

3. Thanks for the info. I just sent the link to someone who will be in

Columbia later this summer doing research on this very issue.

[Judi Lynn]

4. That should be interesting. Hope it's safe enough, as well.

Sounds as if it could be a little rocky again.

Your friend is courageous.

[Judi Lynn]

5. You notice, Uribe, the patron saint of the paramilitaries has been asking

for amnesty for these monsters, for Colombia to simply overlook the horrendous bloodshed they've visited upon so many villages and villagers in the most brutal ways known to mankind, including chainsaws.

The paramilitaries have supported Uribe's election. Now that he is safely installed for another term, it looks as if they are expressing the reality they need more freedom to do what they love doing most: mass murders, and terrorizing the citizens. They know their little creepy buddy will continue as the President, so the heat's off.

End of story. What a shame for helpless people. I hope there's a shadow of a chance what was written in the New Testement is true, and the meek WILL inherit the earth.



Texas _{George Bush} shows Álvaro Uribe some Southern hospitality

"♪ Get outta my ♪ dreams, ♪ get into my car ♪ ♪"

[Bacchus39]

6. ummm...Uribe championed the peace agreement

you are criticizing both sides of the argument. The peace process and the return to conflict if the peace process is not implemented.

So which do you support?? the peace process that was well underway until the court ruled against it, or do you support the return to conflict?

by the way, when does the FARC intend to seek peace?