Gore shuns Colombian president over death squad scandal

[Nutmegger]

BOGOTA, Colombia: Al Gore withdrew from an environmental conference in Miami on Friday to avoid appearing with President Alvaro Uribe, who is battling the most serious accusations yet that he aided far-right death squads.

The former U.S. vice president's office issued a statement Friday call "deeply troubling" the allegations against Uribe, the closest South American ally of U.S. President George W. Bush. Gore "did not feel it was appropriate to appear at the event" until "this very serious chapter in history is brought to a close," it said.

Uribe broke the news at a hastily called news conference in Bogota late Thursday. He said Gore's decision was a sign of the damage being done to Colombia by a growing scandal linking his close political allies to the illegal right-wing militias

The Colombian president flew to Miami to Friday to attend the Poder-New America Alliance Green Forum and confront the U.S. media.

Full article: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/20/america/LA-GEN-Colombia-Al-Gore.php

Didn't Shrub have a grand old time visiting him not too long ago?

[sellitman]

1. Gore is sounding like a guy who is planning to run.

Yahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Peace Patriot]

2. Uribe, like Bush & Co., believes criticism of HIS crimes is criticism of the country.

"He (Uribe) said Gore's decision was a sign of the damage being done to Colombia by a growing scandal...." --IHT

Gonzo tried to use that defense yesterday. He told Sen. Leahy, "watch out what you say," in criticizing him--Gonzo--he was harming the professionals in the Justice Dept.

No kidding. He said that. The nerve! But Leahy (I think it was Leahy) jumped on him right away, and said that that was like saying that anyone who criticizes Bush's war is harming the troops. It was THE moment of those hearings.

So here's Uribe--Bush's pal--saying that the murder of thousands of union organizers, leftists and peasants, torture, drug trafficking and plots against Hugo Chavez ARE Colombia, and if you criticize URIBE you are criticizing COLOMBIA.

On the contrary, I couldn't be more admiring of Colombia and its courageous prosecutors and judges, who are going after these criminals at the risk of their lives, I'm sure. Nor could I be more admiring of--and awed by--the amazing union leaders and members, leftist community organizers and small farmers in Colombia who have stood up for their rights and for democracy and justice in Colombia, and have been mercilessly tortured and slaughtered. What brave people! Like our founders and others, they have given their lives for their country, and for the freedom and prosperity of future generations.

THAT is the REAL Colombia, not Uribe and his horrid fascist cabal.

[Nutmegger]

3. KICK...

... because Gore rocks! :yourock:

[Nutmegger]

4. Unionists' murders cloud Colombia

Zully Codina was a mother, veteran hospital worker and union activist. The last role was the one that cost Codina her life at the hands of paramilitary death squads, whose records show they collaborated with the country's intelligence service to liquidate her and other union activists.

Codina was killed on Nov. 11, 2003, when a gunman pumped three bullets into her head moments after she kissed her family goodbye and walked out of her Santa Marta home.

Her murder remains unsolved, as do those of the vast majority of the 400 union members killed since President Alvaro Uribe took office in 2002.

~~Snip~~

Recent disclosures about the purported role of the Colombian intelligence service, the Administrative Security Department, or DAS, in the murder of Codina and several other union leaders has ignited a political firestorm here that is reaching Capitol Hill just as the Bush administration is fighting for congressional approval of a free-trade pact with Colombia, the third-largest recipient of U.S. aid.

Full article: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/international/2007412/106936.htm