Uribe and Bush on Fox News

[wizard]

[This message has been edited by wizard]

Presidents George W. Bush and Alvaro Uribe met today at the White House to discuss relations between our two countries... Interesting video on Fox News where G.W. painted similarities between the guerillas in Colombia and other terror networks... G.W. said the guerillas in Colombia are no different than Al-Qaeda, Hesbola and Hamas...

In not so many words, he stated that there is only so much you can do to reform a trained killer, whose sole mission is to enact terror on an innocent populace... He held short of saying that they all need to be wiped out, but you could tell he wanted to say it...

You may be able to catch the video on Fox News tonight if you're interested...

BTW, there hasn't been a bombing in Colombia since March 11th... I asked my novia about this the other night and she told me that the government has been paying informants for tips on guerilla / criminal activity... If a citizen sees something suspicious, they call 211 and report it... If the authorities make arrests, the caller gets a reward... I don't know if this is something new or not, but she told me that many people think this is having an effect on terror attacks...

As always, just my 2 cents...

[cancunhound]

... in response to Uribe and Bush on Fox News, posted by wizard on Apr 30, 2003

Unfortunately your info about a lack of recent bombings is incorrect.  4 civilians (including a boy) were killed as recently as last Thursday - planted in a payphone next to an army barracks.  (Rule of thumb - when visiting Colombia stay clear of military installations, convoys, police stations, government buildings, etc..)

[Michael B]

... in response to Uribe and Bush on Fox News, posted by wizard on Apr 30, 2003

[This message has been edited by Michael B]

Mind you, they're not out of the woods yet, but I think Uribe's "get tough" policy is starting to work. Here's a couple of snips from a recient news story:  

Rafael Rojas, a 20-year veteran of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the commander of the group's 46th Front [Santander department, Bucaramanga is the capital], was the highest-ranking member of the rebel army to turn himself in, authorities said. His surrender Friday [April 25] was reportedly mediated by a Roman Catholic priest.

President Alvaro Uribe on Monday introduced Rojas at a nationally televised news conference at a military base in the coastal city of Cartagena.

Rojas urged other members of the 16,000-strong FARC — as the rebel group is known — to also surrender, saying the 38-year war has brought only ruin to this South American country.

"Positive things have not resulted," said Rojas, wearing a blue denim shirt and blue jeans. "On the contrary, the prolonged war has left only desolation and destruction."

-----------------------------------
In another story about the same incident (sorry, I don't have it handy to clip from) one of the Colombian newspapers quoted Rojas as saying "He wanted to see his children again"......Rojas got a hell of a lot better deal than his slime bag friends gave Corporal Jose Norberto Perez and his son Andres Felipe Perez.

[Pete E]

... in response to Effect on terror attacks, posted by Michael B on Apr 30, 2003

My opinion for a long time has been if Colombia ever gets serious with FARC and the other rebels that just the act of getting serious will go a long way towards solving the problem.The exact opposite of the Pastrana plan of appeasement and territory give aways.That was a total failure.
I talked to a friend last night just back from Cali.He says there is much more of a military and police presense and he thought security was better because of it.Its not just the rebels,its crime.Both need to be addresed.He says they are coming down on the mafioso.Sounds like Uribe is serious.
It has been so frustrating watching Colombia's inaction and ineptitude in facing these problems.Sounds like they finally had enough and got the right guy,Uribe.
I commented it might be a good time to invest if they are going to face these issues that have been so damaging.His oppinion is they are a long way from solving all their problems.At least it sounds like the direction is finaly possitive.

Pete

[Brazilophile]

... in response to At last some progress,the right presiden..., posted by Pete E on May 1, 2003

Uribe may be going in a positive direction but he may not have much company.  Yesterday, Colombia's Supreme Court ruled Uribe's declared state of emergency unconstitutional.  That means that many of the anti-FARC measures he undertook have to be stopped and redesigned until they are legal.

In my opinion, and this is probably not very popular, Colombia is not going to have ANY success against the rebels until all that drug money from the US dries up.  The same way that the US went after Arab charities and banks that were funnelling money to Al Qaeda, Colombia and the US need to stop the revenues from drug sales here in the US from going to purchase weapons and arms for the rebels.  I have read that most of the weapons the rebels have are made here in the US.  Most are smuggled into Colombia via Cuba and Venezuela.  Some are legitimate arms purchases destined for the Colombian army but get "re-routed" to the rebels in exchange for some "consideration".

I am very skeptical the US arms makers are in a big hurry to shut down this Latin cash cow.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: At last some progress?  Maybe not., posted by Brazilophile on May 1, 2003

Without getting in to the rest of the debate here,this court
rulling actually stops Uribe? Is it that clean and simple that he can't proceed?
I sincerely and respectfully hope this is not the case,or that there is a solution that will not take forever.
This may be unfair and incorrect,but maybe someone bought themselves a few Judges and can stop the popularly elected president with this?
I hope this is not correct.
And if so,maybe they need to let out a big groan of frustration and hire Carlos Castana.He doesn't play fair,like the other guys.Did you see killing Pablo?They were proceding poorly untill the - - what did they call those guys that started killing Pablo's associates ? No trial,bullet in the head,sign on the body,you work with him your next.Then Pablos world crashed.There were several clips of Castana talking about it,looks like it was his guys.
I know alot of you guys don't like Castana.But I would turn him loose before another 40 years of FARC type BS.It wouldn't be pretty.The outcome would be better than what they got now.
Castana said a few months ago,before the election I think that if the government couldn't take care of it he would.It looked like he could retire after Uribes election.
Maybe not.Just shoot the f---ers,one way or the other.
Leftist appologists will be appaled I'm sure.But  Colombia
needs change more than some rebel  needs his rights  read to him.
Sounds like the court did the equivilant of a UN security council block on Bush.The only thing they accomplished is to make themselves irrelevant.
And I'm sure constitutional proceedure will be cited.That too can be changed if Colombians have the will to control their own country.

Pete

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: At last some progress?  Maybe no..., posted by Pete E on May 1, 2003

I realize my comments could be misconsstrued to mean things I did not intend.
I'm not aware of everything Castana has done and I'm sure would not approve of things he has done.On the whole I think Colombia would be better off if those of his intended outcome,including Uribe,prevaled.
And I'm not saying if you don't like a high court decision you just toss it aside.But in certain cercumstances,as in gross corruption,that might be the thing to do.Act now,argue about it later.
And I'm sure leftist appologists will be apalled by my opinion.But that doesn't mean (logic involved here) you are a leftist appologist if you don't agree.
And some people got killed in kiling Pablo who were probably innocent.When you start killing family members of a cohort who may have done nothing,thats terrorism.I think Castana has even appologised for some of the innocent victims.
As in the killing Pablo story,things were happening that needed swift,not bungling action.overnent official were being killed.Regular police were being killed,a bounty on them for just being a cop.So the solutin worked,and yes did have some innocent victims.The problem the solution addresed
had more.
Hopefully Uribe can press forward with his very needed and ovedue program.Colombia needs to face this.A few people are screwing up a great country of 40,00,000 people.

Pete

[Celt]

... in response to Before you roast me, posted by Pete E on May 1, 2003

Bravo and well-spoken. My brother-in-law told me that
about 250,000 people are in the FARC/AUC/Corrupt-Oligarchy
axis. These people's misdeeds make the reputation for the
other 40,000,000 Colombians. They also steal the country
blind.

I think the best scenario is for the AUC to wipe out the
FARC, and then for CastaNo to say, "I didn't spend 10 years
in the #$@#! jungle to defend the right of the Colombian
Oligarchy to steal the country blind." Their rapaciousness
should be the second strike of CastaNo.

Then, he should retire.

[Celt]

... in response to Re: At last some progress?  Maybe not., posted by Brazilophile on May 1, 2003

Concerning the flow of drugs northward, and arms southward,
isn't the most important aspect who controls the land?
If paramilitaries take crop land away from the FARC, drugs
will still flow North, but fewer weapons and money will
come back into FARC pockets. I think the implicit--and
perhaps joint--policy of the govt. is to encourage the
Paramilitaries to take FARC lands.

[Brazilophile]

... in response to Re: Re: At last some progress?  Maybe no..., posted by Celt on May 1, 2003

That may be so Celt.  I had not thought about that because the AUC deals drugs and kills suspected FARC supporters the same way FARC deals drugs and kills AUC supporters.  Or at least so I am told.  

My point is that Colombia will always be a somewhat dangerous place to look for a wife so long as there is such a huge financial incentive for anyone, FARC, AUC, or even the government, to deal drugs.  That incentive will only go away when we, the US and Europe, stop consuming so much drugs.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: At last some progress?  Mayb..., posted by Brazilophile on May 1, 2003

I've never heard of an American that was injured/kidnapped or whatever while searching for a bride there.  Afterall, you're not looking in the countryside.  But Colombia indeed is not for everyone.  I for one feel as safe or safer when in Colombia - the security is incredible, just for trivial tasks such as grocery shopping.  It is irritating that the countryside is 80% off limits for gringos.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: At last some progress?  ..., posted by cancunhound on May 1, 2003

Yup,it would be great to just hop in a convertible and tour the beautifull Colombian countryside.Thats what bothers me,its unsafe to just tour around to many places.
And lots of security at the grocery store may make you think its safer.If its needed it indicates just the opposite.Bt since it is needed,good thing its there.The malls are probably the safest place in Colombia.Guards with guns all over.Just watch out nobody is following you out.But then,I have stood at ATM's in malls and taken out,over the years, thousands of dollars of pesos.And anybody could watch me stashing thick wads of pesos in several pockets.And never a problem.
But I have heard stories of followers who were ditched by
catching a quick taxi.
I'm not usually a worrier at all.I just don't like ever putting myself in a vulnerable position.

Pete