Indigenous Peruvians Still Under Threat - Amazon Watch

Persecution of Indigenous Leaders Continues in Peru

Police prepare to arrest indigenous leader who was shot 8 times during protest upon his release from hospital

UN Special Rapporteur report calls for immediate review of legal charges against indigenous leaders

Lima, Peru (July 31, 2009) – San Francisco-based Amazon Watch is among dozens of human rights organizations calling on the Peruvian government to drop legal charges against Santiago Manuin Valera, the highly revered Awajun indigenous leader currently recovering from injuries suffered during attack on protesters by Peruvian Police on June 5th. Manuin, who was unarmed, was shot eight times as he approached Peruvian special police, attempting to negotiate a peaceful resolution to end the police attack on the blockade in Bagua, in the Amazonas Province. Currently, a squadron of police officers is standing by to arrest Manuin upon his discharge from a Chiclayo hospital where he has been undergoing surgery and rehabilitation. The government of Peruvian President Alan García has accused Manuin of being responsible for the two days of violence that ensued the June 5th police attack, resulting in 34 deaths and over 200 injuries.

Francisco Soberón, Executive Director of Peruvian human rights organization APRODEH, called the criminal charges politically motivated. “We have no doubt that behind Santiago Manuin’s capture order there are pressures that don’t have to do with legal considerations but that follow the political logic of the criminalization of social protest in Peru.”
Five other indigenous leaders have been forced into exile and hiding after warrants were issued for their arrest on the charge of being “apologists for terrorism” and planning to overthrow the state for their appearance in a press conference in May. The government is pursuing over a dozen legal proceedings against regional and national leaders. Most of these leaders were not in Bagua on July 5th, however the government continues to hold them materially and intellectually responsible for the events that day. Police have raided indigenous organization offices and communities, as many leaders live in fear of imminent arrest. Investigations have focused exclusively on indigenous people and not the police violence that resulted in over 200 people being hospitalized after the government’s violent clampdown on the protests.

“There must be an impartial and independent investigation into the June 5th violence in order to create a climate of reconciliation and peace with indigenous people. The intimidation and politically motivated persecution of indigenous leaders must stop,” said Atossa Soltani, Executive Director of Amazon Watch. “The government cannot engage in meaningful dialogue with indigenous communities to resolve conflict if their elected leaders are in exile, hiding, or jail.”

UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, recently made public his final report on the Bagua assault. In his report, Anaya echoes the concerns of indigenous communities and civil society groups. The report highlights the immediate need for an impartial investigation, review of charges against indigenous leaders including Santiago Manuin and AIDESEP President Alberto Pizango, and creation of a framework law on indigenous community consultation.

James Anaya’s full report on the Bagua, Peru violence can be reads here:
http://www.onu.org.pe/upload/documentos/Informe-Relator-Anaya-2009.pdf

ACIN Statement on State-Sponsored Impunity Presented to UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights

Friends,

Below is the missive (in Spanish) posted on ACIN's website on the occasion of the visit to Northern Cauca of James Anaya, United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights, last weekend. It is titled: "No More Genocide and Impunity from the Colombian State," and reflected the recent aggressions carried out in Cauca against the indigenous communities of the region, presented to Anaya in La Maria, Piendamó, the same site where last year's historic indigenous and popular minga was launched.

MAMA

No más genocidio e impunidad por parte del Estado colombiano manifestaron indígenas del Cauca ante James Anaya

07/27/2009; Autor: Tejido de Comunicación ACIN

“Mi misión es hacer las respectivas recomendaciones frente a cada caso que aquí he conocido, para la posterior implementación de mecanismos efectivos de cumplimiento por parte del gobierno y las instituciones frente a la creciente violación de los derechos de los pueblos que se evidencian en los territorios indígenas”, concluyó el Relator.

El Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas para los pueblos indígenas, James Anaya, se reunió el pasado domingo 26 de julio, en el Territorio de Paz, Diálogo y Negociación de La María Piendamó, con representantes de los ocho pueblos indígenas del departamento del Cauca; quienes dieron a conocer los hechos y situaciones violatorias de los derechos humanos que a diario se viven en los territorios indígenas, ocasionados principalmente por los grupos armados y el Estado colombiano, a través de sus represivas políticas gubernamentales.

Con una danza, como ritual de bienvenida alrededor del fuego, realizada por el pueblo Guambiano, se dio inicio al encuentro, entre el Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas y los representantes de los pueblos indígenas. Los himnos del pueblo Nasa, de la guardia indígena, de la República de Colombia y del pueblo Guambiano -interpretado en Nam Trik (lengua Guambiana)-, antecedieron las palabras de bienvenida al relator y la apertura oficial del evento, a cargo del gobernador indígena de La María Piendamó y el consejero mayor del Concejo Regional Indígena del Cauca - CRIC, Elides Pechené.

James Anaya, manifestó su firme intención de conocer a través de un diálogo abierto y directo las condiciones de las comunidades frente al tema de los derechos humanos, para así establecer qué avances se han generado desde las recomendaciones dadas por Stavenhagen en la visita del 2004. Tomando como punto de referencia la declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y la adopción de Colombia a dicha declaración.

Luis Evelis Andrade Presidente de la Organización Nacional indígena de Colombia-ONIC, habló de la exigencia que desde los pueblos indígenas se le hizo al presidente de Colombia, para hacer efectiva la verificación por parte de una comisión internacional, de la violación a los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, es decir, que la visita de Anaya, no se da por un gesto de voluntad del gobierno colombiano, si no por la presión y exigencia de los pueblos. De igual manera, Luis Evelis, explicó cómo el conflicto armado y la implementación de megaproyectos en territorios indígenas son las principales causas del genocidio de los pueblos. “Que cese el genocidio por la desatención y omisión del Estado, que se evite la matanza contra los pueblos. A ese nivel es que se deben hacer recomendaciones efectivas señor relator, pues el Estado colombiano tiene la obligación de parar esta barbarie”, enfatizó el presidente de la ONIC.

Seguidamente, el consejero mayor del CRIC, Elides Pechené, presentó un amplio informe de la situación que vive cada una de las nueve zonas que hacen parte del Consejo Regional Indígena del Cauca-CRIC.

Zona Tierradentro

Afectada principalmente por los impactos de la emergencia natural (volcán Nevado del Huila), donde el gobierno se ha abstenido de declarar el Estado de emergencia territorial, lo que ha ocasionado desatención a la comunidad damnificada, desplazamiento y muertes. Otro aspecto que afecta esta región del Cauca es la creciente militarización del territorio, la instalación de trincheras en sitios sagrados, las amenazas y señalamientos a líderes por parte de las águilas negras y la entrada de multinacionales a explotar indiscriminadamente los recursos naturales y sin el previo consentimiento de la comunidad y las autoridades.

Zona Oriente

Afectada por los falsos positivos por parte del ejército nacional, asesinatos de comuneros y la explotación de recursos naturales por parte de las multinacionales.

Costa Pacífica

Se denuncia el constante riesgo y amenaza que padece el pueblo Eperara Siapidara y la comunidad afrocolombiana que habita ese territorio, a causa de la creciente oleada de narcotráfico, la militarización y las indiscriminadas fumigaciones que han ocasionado gran daño ambiental y en la salud de la comunidad. La implementación de monocultivos por parte de las multinacionales, como la siembra extensiva de la palma aceitera, que ha generado un desplazamiento masivo de la población indígena y afro.

Sat tama Kiwe – Caldono

Líderes y autoridades amenazados por la erradicación de los cultivos de uso ilícito, frecuentes enfrentamientos en territorios indígenas, y surgimiento de grupos contradictorios al cabildo y la organización indígena.

Zona Sur

Creciente militarización de los territorios indígenas, invasión de escuelas, viviendas y sitios de civiles, implementación de batallones de alta montaña. Amenazas y asesinatos a líderes y autoridades por parte de los grupos armados, explotación de los recursos naturales por parte de las multinacionales.

Norte del Cauca

Territorio convertido en escenario de constantes enfrentamientos por parte de los grupos armados legales e ilegales, donde la población civil, sigue siendo la mayor afectada. Amenazas, señalamientos, desplazamiento y muerte por parte de las FARC, el ejército, los paramilitares y grupos de narcotraficantes a comuneros, líderes y autoridades indígenas. Creciente militarización en los territorios, instalación de artefactos explosivos y caletas con material bélico. Entrada de multinacionales al territorio sin consulta previa a las comunidades y con el consentimiento del Estado, surgimiento de grupos contradictorios a la organización indígena apoyados por el gobierno departamental y nacional (OPIC), desatención e incumplimiento reiterado del Estado colombiano, frente a los acuerdos de reparación pactados.

Zona Centro

Constantes amenazas a los comuneros, líderes y autoridades, copamiento del territorio por parte de los grupos armados, frecuentes enfrentamientos que ponen en riesgo la vida de los habitantes del territorio, invasión de escuelas y viviendas de la población civil.

Zona oriente

Militarización del territorio, invasión y destrucción de viviendas de la comunidad, saqueo del territorio de La María Piendamó, amenazas y asesinatos a líderes y autoridades indígenas, reciente asesinato del exgobernador Robert Guachetá.

Reasentamientos

Una de las principales problemáticas que se denuncian en los sitios de reasentamientos, conformados por comuneros y comuneras desplazados de sus territorios por la violencia, es la desatención del Estado colombiano a las necesidades básicas de la población como la salud, la educación, la vivienda y el saneamiento básico. A esto se suma la inseguridad que viven estas personas frente a la presencia de los grupos armados.

Después del detallado informe sobre las violaciones de los derechos indígenas, se continuó con la presentación de casos emblemáticos “testimonios”, donde el Relator de las Naciones Unidas pudo conocer la cruda realidad que padecen los pueblos indígenas.

Como principales acciones violatorias de los derechos de los pueblos, que se han identificado en los territorios, las autoridades indígenas del Cauca denunciaron:

1. La creciente militarización y copamiento del territorio, surgimiento de grupos
Emergentes
2. Entrada de multinacionales a los territorios indígenas e implementación de
megaproyectos
3. La evidente práctica del despojo de todos los derechos y libertades a través
de las leyes impuestas por el gobierno nacional, falta de inversión social en
educación, salud
4. La crítica situación territorial que padecen los de los pueblos indígenas
5. El reiterado incumplimiento de acuerdos y convenios
6. La utilización de los niños y jóvenes por parte de los grupos armados
7. La creación de grupos contradictorios al movimiento indígena con el apoyo
del gobierno departamental y nacional y los grupos armados.
8. La no adopción de las recomendaciones y reconocimientos a los pueblos
indígenas por parte del Estado colombiano

Frente a la crítica situación de las comunidades indígenas del Cauca, James Anaya, felicitó a la comunidad indígena del Cauca por su permanente lucha y resistencia pacífica, los animó a continuar defendiendo su territorio y los derechos fundamentales de los pueblos. Finalmente, se comprometió a presentar un completo informe al gobierno nacional, a los organismos defensores de los derechos humanos y de los pueblos, al organismo de las Naciones Unidas sobre lo que había podido escuchar y mediante la posterior revisión de la información escrita. “Mi misión es hacer las respectivas recomendaciones frente a cada caso que aquí he conocido, para la posterior implementación de mecanismos efectivos de cumplimiento por parte del gobierno y las instituciones frente a la creciente violación de los derechos de los pueblos que se evidencian en los territorios indígenas”, concluyó el Relator.

Escuche y lea otras notas relacionadas:

Balance de la Visita del Relator

El reconocimiento y protección de los derechos territoriales de los pueblos indígenas es necesario para establecer condiciones sostenibles de paz y asegurar la supervivencia de los pueblos indígenas", enfatiza el Relator Especial. Asimismo, el Relator Especial señala la necesidad de armonizar la política pública de desarrollo económico del país, en especial en lo que se refiere a los denominados "mega proyectos" relativos a la extracción de recursos o infraestructura, con los derechos humanos colectivos e individuales de los pueblos indígenas. http://www.politicaspublicas.net/panel/relator-dpi/noticias-relator/360-anaya-comunicado-colombia.html

Esperamos que el Relator haga un buen papel ante los organismos de DH
Rafael Coicué, Coordinador del Tejido de Defensa de la Vida de la ACIN, hace un balance general del contexto y la problemáticas que viven los pueblos indìgenas en el Cauca, y además llama al James Anaya a establecer un contacto más directo y continuo con las comunidades, a partir de la visita a La María Piendamó.
www.nasaacin.org/uploads/9bfcb9b34b8952b88fdad1b6509bc504/Z0000010.mp3

Testimonios comprometen a todos los actores armados
“Lo que muestra un panorama siniestro donde todos los actores: guerrilla, autodefensas, paramilitares y la fuerza pública, han cobrado una cuota de sangre y de dolor a unas comunidades que lo único que buscan es vivir en armonía y paz dentro de sus territorios y sacar adelante sus planes de vida”, afirman

Honduran Coup Update from RIGHTS ACTION

“HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY” AT THE NICARAGUAN-HONDURAN BORDER REGION
By Karen Spring, in Tegucigalpa

An international mission has been formed involving both national and international human rights workers and journalists that are concerned of the “humanitarian emergency” that are occurring in the El Paraíso region close to the Nicaraguan-Honduran border.

The newly formed International Mission of Solidarity, Observation and Accompaniment to Honduras has met with various organizations including Committee in Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH), Committee of Families of the Detained and Disappeared (COFADEH) and Treatment and Rehabilitation of the Victims of Torture and their Families (CPTRT). The Mission has decided after one day of being formed to further investigate the variety of human rights violations that have been reported to be occurring at the border region.

“We have received documents that have given us enough information to make the decision to go to the zone where there is a humanitarian emergency to see what is happening there, what the military are hiding, what the police are hiding and the de facto government.”

After announcing their investigation at a press conference held yesterday in the office of COFADEH, participants denounced the reported violations being committed by the de facto Micheletti regime including almost many, the lack of food and water for Hondurans in the El Paraíso region, the imposed military curfew and roadblocks preventing free movement, and illegal detentions of protestors without judicial advice.

One representative, Tom Kucharz from Spanish Ecologistas en Accíon/Transnational Institute, describes the need for more international solidarity and need to verify the situation at the border. “More international attention is needed here. The real information and truth is not being reported. Its necessary that there is a international presence that verifies what is happening .. the media are fundamentally justifying the coup, they are not reporting what is really happening.”

Holding up pictures of a young 24 year-old boy, Pedro Muñoz, whose body was found in the community of Alauca, close to a military blockade, Nora Cortiñas of Madres de la Plaza de Mayo-Linea Fundadora denounced the repression and violence used by the military, mentioning that, “witnesses have said that the body [of Pedro Muñuz] shows signs and evidence of torture (see photos, http://www.honduraslaboral.org/leer.php/2050 - WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTO).

An internationally known Honduran medical doctor and human rights activist known for his work with victims of torture, Dr. Juan Almendares has also spoken out recently of the use of repression and violence the military and police are using to “provoke the people.”

After visiting a detaining station in Danli (20 km?? from the border), Dr. Almendares described the experience of fifty-one people that were being detained, including Rafael Alegría, a well-known leader of the resistance movement, “There were almost forty people in a small room. This is another way to torture the people. It’s a horrible thing, forty people, where there is no space, no water, nothing. It was hell in general. They don’t give them legal counsel. They are putting children in prison; women cannot go to the bathroom. This is another way to terrorize the people.”

Without a way to enter the region, the International Mission and journalists are unable to know the severity of the situation. The media, who are largely pro-coup and Micheletti supporters, are not reporting what is actually occurring in the country.

The International Mission of Solidarity, Observation and Accompaniment to Honduras attempted yesterday to enter the border zone and pass through the military checkpoints. They have been denied entry but will try again in the days to come.

There is still a lot of hope for the struggle for justice and the return of President Zelaya. Hondurans have called a two-day national strike that begins tomorrow where it is projected that many people will take to the streets and protest against the de facto Micheletti regime.

According to Dr. Almendares, “I have spent many years in protests. I know well the mobilization of the people but I have never seen the force, the motivation, and the courage of the people like this. There is an extraordinary movement in this country.”

Contrasting Views About the Colombian Reality from CBS News and COHA

Hi folks,

Much has been made the last few days about the controversial U.S.-Colombia military base agreement that will allow U.S. forces to work from five military installations in different parts of Colombia. As we've already pointed out in a previous post, the five bases will replace the Manta Air base in Ecuador, and would expand the U.S. military mission to include counter-narcotic operations, which for many observers means a deeper involvement in Colombia’s counterinsurgency war against FARC guerillas. The base agreement raises concerns among human rights organizations that the new Administration in Washington is continuing, and perhaps even broadening the Bush agenda in the region, despite campaign promises by Barack Obama to place human rights first and foremost on his Latin America agenda.

More urgently, the base agreement has led to increasing regional tensions between Colombia and its neighbors, particularly Venezuela, which announced on Tuesday that it was recalling its diplomatic personnel from Bogotá in retaliation for accusations from the Colombian government that Swedish-made weapons sold to Venezuela found their way to FARC guerillas. It is the latest salvo in a war of words between Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe. While Colombian officials say they've been alerting Venezuela since June about these weapons allegedly found in a FARC encampment, the Chavez government argues the latest revelations are "media-driven" moves designed to justify the presence of U.S. bases on Colombian territory, something Venezuela sees as a threat.

These tensions overshadowed another interesting development that was optimistically reported on the CBS Evening News on Monday night which described Colombia's commitment to assist the Pentagon in its escalating war in Afghanistan. The report, which was posted on CBS's website, read like a press release from the Colombian Armed Forces or National Palace, with uncritical language making it seem as if the internal conflict in Colombia and its rampant human rights crisis was a thing of the past:

"U.S. forces are about to get some much-needed help as they fight the Taliban in Afghanistan, reports CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Lara Logan in an exclusive report. The Colombian commandos are U.S. trained and battle-tested from having defeated terrorists in their own country. ...For Colombia, it's a way to give something back to the U.S., and the American Green Berets who've spent the last decade training them."

It went on to describe a U.S.-Colombia relationship that has been built on mutual trust and dedication to a common enemy, a relationship that has reaped tremendous rewards for Colombia:

"Colombia's recent history is written in blood. An insurgency waged by leftist guerillas known as the FARC. And funded with drug money brought Colombia to its knees. Colombia today is a different world. The economy is thriving and order has been restored. U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield told Logan that kidnappings and terrorist attacks are down dramatically. So what changed? Over $6 billion in U.S. aid, a committed Colombian government and a small team of Green Berets from 7th Group Special Forces."

This optimistic version of events may be a surprise to people living in Colombia's most contested war zones. For this more nuanced perspective, I direct you to a recent posting by the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, COHA, which put together a detailed analysis of the contemporary security and human rights situation in Colombia, based on recent statistics by the Center for Research and Popular Education, CINEP, based in Bogotá.

Hope it helps clarify some distortions and outright lies!

MAMA

Latest News/Analysis from ACIN - Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca

Estrategia: entre farsantes y solidarios

07/27/2009

Autor: Tejido de Comunicación ACIN

Mientras desde Honduras sigue requiriendo una solidaridad más estratégica, que no sólo sirva para denunciar y hacer cientos de análisis, sino para buscar alternativas inmediatas para que el pueblo tenga la palabra y actúe en consecuencia con sus objetivos estratégicos, en Perú después de la Masacre de Bagua, el pueblo peruano està movilizado y realizò un paro nacional contra los intereses neoliberales, además los indígenas siguen resistiendo al modelo económico transnacional que busca desterrarlos y por eso exigen que haya justicia con lo ocurrido y que no haya más persecución contra sus líderes.

En Colombia desde Santander de Quilichao, Caloto, Corinto, Tierradentro, Manaure en La Guajira y Medellín, se movilizaron los pueblos indígenas para rechazar las acciones de los violentos, los “modelos de desarrollo” que nos imponen y para conmemorar el 20 de julio, ya que los pueblos indígenas seguimos luchando por una verdadera independencia. Los afros, los campesinos y los indígenas clamamos a gritos que nos dejen vivir en paz en nuestros territorios y que no nos sometan al despojo.

Desde el norte del Cauca ratifican las comunidades que van a seguir fortaleciendo sus organizaciones y que no se van a dejar amedrantar ni de la fuerza pública, ni de los paramilitares y ni de la guerrilla de las Farc. Tal como lo manifestaron en la Audiencia Pública en Corinto y cómo se lo dieron a conocer al Relator James Anaya de la ONU, ayer en La María Piendamó, donde las autoridades tradicionales presentaron un informe amplio de las causas de la guerra, de las violaciones de DH en sus territorios y de la propuesta de los pueblos.

Invitamos a todos los colombianos a consolidar nuestra agenda como pueblos en resistencia y como alternativa al proyecto que nos impone. Reiteramos por ello la propuesta de 5 puntos de la Minga. Pensamos que las luchas recientes desde Honduras, Perú y Colombia ponen en evidencia que el proyecto de la codicia transnacional, teniendo sus objetivos claros, cambia de estrategias: en un lugar da un golpe de Estado y aparenta rechazarlo para promover el diàlogo entre criminales y víctimas, en otro lugar, dicta decretos para parcelar el Amazonas y entregarlo a explotadores transnacionales, ordenando la muerte de los defensores de la tierra y en otro, en nuestro país, monta bases militares para preparar la guerra de invasión contra Venezuela y Ecuador y expropiar el petróleo y los minerales, apoyàndose en la ventaja que le ofrecen las acciones de terror y de guerra de una insurgencia distanciada del pueblo.

Como lo venimos reiterando, son estrategias diferentes para servir a los intereses muy concretos y pragmàticos de acceso a trabajo explotado y naturalaza destruida para el gran capital global. El plan es el de quiènes se benefician en ùltimas, es decir, las grandes coorporaciones. Los actores y autores de golpes, masacres, propaganda y polìticas, están a su servicio.

Del otro lado estamos los pueblos con nuestra solidaridad que es la ternura. Movilizados, heròicos, haciendo denuncias, declaraciones, comunicados, marchas y otros gestos de firmeza y de compromiso. Todo eso ha demostrado sin lugar a dudas nuestra presencia, dignidad y fortaleza. Pero también nos impone aprender una lecciòn impostergable: si ellos tienen planes, objetivos concretos y estrategias coherentes, nosotros y nosotras debemos tenerlos también. Por ejemplo: necesitamos saber desde el protagonismo del heroico pueblo de Honduras cuàl es concretamente la plataforma de lucha y cuàles los objetivos a ser alcanzados, para de esta manera enfilar todos nuestros esfuerzos en la misma dirección. Son mejores miles de comunicados y análisis, cientos de delegaciones y decenas de movilizaciones, que unas pocas. Pero es indispensable que todas tengan en común y reiterados los objetivos estratégicos de los pueblos. Si toda esta lucha logra que la fuerza y la agenda de las bases de Honduras se abran espacios electorales, sociales, políticos y económicos, abremos avanzado hacia la libertad todos y todas en las Américas.

La farsa del entrometido e ilegítimo "mediador" Oscar Arias, al servicio de la opresión y el regaño de Hillary Clinton, secretaria de asuntos globales de las corporaciones, al presidente Zelaya porque según ella al querer regresar a su casa robada "no contribuye con la paz", resultará tan evidente vocería de la estrategia de despojo, en contraste con la digna y justa causa de los pueblos, que más que risa estos lùgubres comediantes, nos causarán verguenza y repugnancia.

Es el día de la estrategia de los pueblos por la libertad. Ya tenemos vocerías dignas, serias y legítimas; necesitamos darle la palabra concreta y eficiente a nuestros objetivos estratégicos.

Caminamos la palabra contra los violentos

Ultimatum a actores armados dicta Tribunal Indígena

Que estos debates deberán realizarse en un término no mayor a 3 meses a partir de la fecha. De no realizarse los debates en el tiempo estipulado por decisiones, desinterés, negligencia o cualquier disculpa sin peso de los convocados, los pueblos indígenas procederán a limpiar los territorios de todo elemento bélico, actor armado o factor de narcotráfico, factores que ponen en riesgo la integridad física, territorial y socio cultural de los pueblos.
http://www.nasaacin.org/noticias.htm?x=10281

WBAI's Wake Up Call Examines US Base Agreement with Colombia

Hey folks,

As many of you may know, I'm out of town, actually just got into Colombia yesterday, so I'm not on the air these days at WBAI, but last week, NACLA's Christy Thornton, who is co-hosting the Friday edition of Wake Up Call in my absence for the next few weeks with producer Karah Woodward, conducted an in-depth interview with Garry Leech and Forrest Hylton on the U.S. base agreement with Colombia on last Friday's Wake-Up Call (07.23.09). Take a listen, and see why President Uribe was all smiles a few weeks back when he met with his counterpart in the White House. Business as usual, as far as Colombia-US relations are concerned.

MAMA

Obama Administration Shifts U.S. focus in Colombia from Counternarcotics to Counterinsurgency

Here is the latest article from Colombia Journal:

Obama Administration Shifts U.S. focus in Colombia from Counternarcotics to Counterinsurgency

The Obama administration’s proposed 2010 aid package for Colombia appears to be sailing through the Democrat-controlled Congress with little opposition and few amendments. As a result, the administration is poised to achieve a shift in U.S. policy in Colombia that will see an even greater portion of the aid under the counternarcotics initiative known as Plan Colombia used for counterinsurgency operations. The Obama administration’s aid package indicates that the new government in Washington is not only continuing the militaristic policies of the Bush administration in Colombia, but actually intensifying them by developing even closer ties to the worst human rights-abusing military in the Western Hemisphere.

Read the full article at: http://colombiajournal.org/colombia313.htm

A Renewed Monroe Doctrine? Pentagon proposes 5 U.S. bases in Colombia

A Renewed Monroe Doctrine? Pentagon proposes 5 U.S. bases in Colombia

July 16, 2009: Oakland, CA: In a stunning development, the United States is negotiating for the use of five military facilities in Colombia in an agreement whose objectives include “filling the gaps left by the eventual cutting of [military] aid in Plan Colombia,” according to sources in Washington and Bogotá cited by an explosive article published <http://www.cambio.com.co/portadacambio/835/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR_CAMBIO-5569679.html> in this week’s Cambio magazine.

The five bases, which replace a U.S. base in Manta, Ecuador, closing in September, would expand the U.S. military mission to include counter-narcotic operations, involvement in Colombia’s counterinsurgency war, and combating “other international crimes,” according to Colombia’s Foreign Minister.

“With broad consensus on the abject failure of a militarized and punitive drug policy, the Obama Administration should be re-thinking its approach, not signing a ten-year basing agreement with a military that has consistently violated human rights,” said John Lindsay-Poland, co-director of FOR’s Latin America program.

The U.N. Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions recently found that as many as 1,700 Colombian civilians have been killed by the army in what he characterized as “cold-blooded, premeditated murder.”

“These bases will be a military presence in search of a mission, increasing tension between Colombia and its neighbors, and making negotiations to end Colombia’s long war more difficult,” Lindsay-Poland said.

Many Colombians have expressed alarm that the Uribe administration has apparently committed to the U.S. bases with no public or legislative review. And if such an agreement is reached, it could constitute an “end run” around the struggles waged for years by human rights, religious, peace, indigenous, Afro-Colombian, women’s and youth groups to bring about a more peaceful U.S. policy in Colombia and the region. “At a time when President Obama is trying to strengthen diplomatic relations with Venezuela and other South American countries, this is a needless long-term provocation,” said Lindsay-Poland.

Annual funding requests for Plan Colombia, especially in the “Foreign Operations” bill, have been a space for debate about aiding the Colombian military and are subject to conditions and reports on human rights. But funding for U.S. military activities in Colombia faces no such discussion. Congress exercises almost no direct oversight on the activities of U.S. military bases around the world – with the exception of a couple high-profile sites like the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.

In the midst of an unpopular drug war and the second term of a president enamored with special operations, the establishment in Colombia of five U.S. military facilities for at least ten years, whose missions include counterinsurgency and cross-border operations, would be the worst U.S. policy decision in the Andes since Plan Colombia began a decade ago.

Forty-six million dollars for construction on the central U.S. base in Palanquero, Colombia, is part of the military budget passed by the House of Representatives, but it still awaits Senate approval. “We ask activists to urge their Senators to drop these funds from the military budget,” said Lindsay-Poland.

Sobre las bases militares de Estados Unidos en Colombia

Here's an interesting commentary (in Spanish) from Colombian Senator Jorge Robledo about US Militarism in Colombia, which was posted on ACIN's website. Share it widely!

MAMA

07/13/2009

Autor: Jorge Enrique Robledo

Debe saberse que entre las nuevas estrategias de dominación global del mayor imperio de la historia aparecen las bases militares llamadas “lotos”, las cuales pueden ser relativamente pequeñas porque están diseñadas para ampliarse o para que las tropas salten de unas a otras. De acuerdo con Chalmers Johnson, profesor emérito de la Universidad de California, “La mayoría de estas nuevas bases constituyen lotos desde los cuales nuestras fuerzas podrán saltar como ranas muy bien armadas” (Estados Unidos imperio en guerra). Y en Colombia lo harían con la ventaja de que, en el primer salto, los estadounidenses podrían tomarse la base militar colombiana en la que estarán ubicados.

Como terminó por saberse, el gobierno cocina en secreto –sin consultar con la Comisión Asesora de Relaciones Exteriores ni con el Congreso, y menos aún con la opinión pública– otorgarle cinco bases militares a Estados Unidos, una de las peores decisiones de la historia nacional. Serán dos en el Caribe (en Cartagena y Barranquilla), otra en el Océano Pacífico (en Bahía Málaga, al lado de Buenaventura), una más en el centro del país (en Palanquero, junto a La Dorada) y la última en Apiay, en los Llanos Orientales, decisión que convertirá a Colombia en un país ocupado, amenaza a los países vecinos y viola la soberanía y la Constitución.

El gobierno ha presentado este despropósito como un asunto de menor cuantía porque, dice, no se trasladará a Colombia la base militar que hoy tiene Washington en Manta, Ecuador –que se cerrará por orden de la nueva Constitución de ese país–, sino que sus funciones pasarán a cinco instalaciones controladas por las tropas norteamericanas dentro de bases militares colombianas, parte de cuyas dotaciones usarán.

Debe saberse que entre las nuevas estrategias de dominación global del mayor imperio de la historia aparecen las bases militares llamadas “lotos”, las cuales pueden ser relativamente pequeñas porque están diseñadas para ampliarse o para que las tropas salten de unas a otras. De acuerdo con Chalmers Johnson, profesor emérito de la Universidad de California, “La mayoría de estas nuevas bases constituyen lotos desde los cuales nuestras fuerzas podrán saltar como ranas muy bien armadas” (Estados Unidos imperio en guerra). Y en Colombia lo harían con la ventaja de que, en el primer salto, los estadounidenses podrían tomarse la base militar colombiana en la que estarán ubicados.

De acuerdo con Cambio, la revista que empezó el destape de este proyecto (El ABC de las bases militares colombianas en las que habrá presencia de Estados Unidos), las cinco bases escalarán la presencia militar norteamericana en Colombia no solo por su número y ubicación. Pues no serán solo contra el narcotráfico, sino también contra el “terrorismo”, término que, como se sabe, Washington define según sus conveniencias. Y las tropas norteamericanas podrán operar desde ellas, y sin consultarle a nadie, en otros países. ¿Alguien sensato, además, puede tener la certeza de que el Pentágono nunca actuará desde esas bases en contra de lo pactado y de Colombia, si así lo determinan sus intereses imperiales?

Con calculada y falsa inocencia, el gobierno de Álvaro Uribe –que le mantiene su respaldo a la invasión estadounidense a Irak–, presenta las cinco bases militares como “ayuda” norteamericana a Colombia, cuando estas se sumarán a las otras 700 que posee Estados Unidos en el mundo, bases en las que opera medio millón de hombres y resulta hasta pueril desconocer que existen para defender los intereses de dominación que signan las decisiones de la Casa Blanca, incluida la de Barack Obama. Esto, además, en la lógica de la tenebrosa estrategia de la “guerra perpetua” definida por el Pentágono, la más reciente teoría militar norteamericana para el control del mundo, política dentro de la cual, y como lo denunció Brasil, Estados Unidos puso a la IV Flota a navegar en aguas de Latinoamérica y el Caribe (El regreso de la Cuarta Flota y La IV Flota de EE.UU. vuelve a patrullar aguas latinoamericanas).

El secretismo oficial tiene como primera causa la total inconveniencia de una decisión orientada por un poder extranjero, que solo problemas puede traerle al país por la grave lesión a su soberanía y autodeterminación sobre lo político, lo económico y lo social y porque lo somete de la peor manera a los horrores de la guerra y los intereses de la superpotencia, lo enfrenta con los países vecinos y lo desacredita más ante los demócratas del mundo. Y también tiene que ver con que estas cinco bases militares –así les den otro nombre, como tienen decidido hacerlo para confundir– son inconstitucionales por dos razones diferentes. La primera, porque la Constitución dice que las relaciones internacionales del país se fundamentarán en la soberanía y su derecho a autodeterminarse. Y la segunda, porque ninguna norma permite crear bases de este tipo en Colombia, dado que la Carta, en sus artículos 173 y 237, solo autoriza “el tránsito –es decir, el paso temporal– de tropas extranjeras por el territorio de la República”, previa aprobación del Senado y concepto favorable del Consejo de Estado, trámite que el gobierno decidió no realizar.

Honduras Coup Update from Rights Action in Honduras

Greetings folks,

Below is the latest urgent action alert from the independent human rights organization Rights Action in Honduras about the ongoing crisis in the country after the illegal coup that toppled the democratically-elected President Manuel Zelaya almost two weeks ago. Tomorrow on WBAI's Wake UP Call, we will have an update on the crisis with several guests, including the co-director of Rights Action.

MAMA

HONDURAS COUP ALERT #19 – July 9, 2009

BELOW:

• URGENT ACTION: Father of boy, who was shot and killed by army during Sunday’s pro-democracy protest, has been detained by police!
• THINGS OF NOTE (from the streets of Honduras)
• CALLS TO ACTION for U.S. and Canadian citizens. Our governments must move from rhetoric to concrete measures

* * *

URGENT ACTION - Illegal Detention

This morning (July 9, 2009), Jose David Murillo Sanchez came to a leading human rights group COFADEH (Committee of Family Members of the Disappeared) to give testimony about the death of his 19 year old son, Isis Oved Murillo Mencilla, who was shot and killed by the Honduran army during the Sunday July 5th pro-democracy march, at the “Tocontin” airport.

In the COFADEH offices, he gave his testimony to the DGIC (Honduras police investigation unit). He left COFADEH at 1130am, to go home to Olancho. Witnesses came running to COFADEH soon after to say that police, in civilian clothes, detained Jose David Murillo Sanchez, put him in an unmarked car, and took him away.

COFADEH has confirmed that the DGIC detained him, for some trumped up charges from 2 years ago. Jose David Murillo Sanchez is a member of MAO, a campesino, environmental defense organization in Olancho. The DGIC seemingly agreed to take his testimony about the killing of his son as a trap, so as to detain him … part of an on-going crackdown in Honduras against members of the social movement.

Please denounce this terrible abuse, as part of your on-going activism related to the military coup in Honduras.

• More information in English: Sandra Cuffe, tel: [504] 9525-6778, lavagabunda27@yahoo.es
• More info en Espanol: ofadeh@sdnhon.org.hn, www.cofadeh.org, bertha.oliva@cofadeh.org, 8991-0259, 220-7147

* * *

THINGS OF NOTE

The pro-democracy marches continue daily. The movement is pacing itself. After the marches of 100,000 or more, last Friday, Saturday, Sunday, there have been daily marches of thousands in Tegucigalpa, Monday through Thursday. Smaller marches are occurring throughout the country. They are building towards more marches all around the country.

The pro-democracy movement has little faith in, but are respecting the "negotiations" in Costa Rica. This is not surprising. Inside Honduras, the rhetoric of the powerful pro-coup sectors (army, economic elites, hierarchy of the catholic church, most of the media (written, radio and TV) remains incredibly fixated on not giving in an inch. They have the wealth, the means of communication and the army and police. President Zelaya has stated publicly that he is "negotiating" only one thing - the date of his return, with all his powers and authority as President and with his entire government, and how the 'de facto' regime will cede power and how they will be dealt with.

Following on the decision of the U.S. government to take away recognition and diplomatic privileges of Roberto Flores Bermudez, Honduran ambassador to the United States who justified the military coup, the U.S. government has now suspended $16.5 million in military assistance programs to Honduras (according to the U.S. embassy in Tegucigalpa). From Reuters, the U.S. embassy in Honduras also said “a further $180 million in aid for Honduras could also be at risk as a result of the June 28 coup which toppled President Manuel Zelaya.”

* * *

CALL TO CONTINUE PRESSURING CANADIAN & U.S. GOVERNMENTS TO IMPLEMENT CONCRETE SANCTIONS

UNITED STATES Call to Action:

Support House Resolution on Honduras! Urge your Representative to become an original co sponsor of House Resolution demanding reinstatement of President Manuel Zelaya in Honduras!

[This action alert comes to you from the Alliance for Global Justice and its member projects, the Nicaragua Network, the Campaign for Labor Rights, the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, and the Respect for Democracy Campaign.]

Representatives James McGovern (D-MA) and Bill Delahunt (D-MA) have sent out a Dear Colleague letter to the other members of the House of Representatives asking them to sign on as original co- sponsors to a House resolution calling for the reinstatement of Manuel Zelaya as president of Honduras. See text of the letter and of the House resolution below. Call your Representative and ask him or her to sign on! The Capitol Switchboard number is: 202-224- 3121. All original co-sponsors need to be added before 5pm today. Here is some suggested language for your call:

"Please tell Representative _________________ that I urge him/her to be an original co-sponsor of the McGovern/Delahunt resolution to oppose the military led coup in Honduras. The resolution calls for the reinstatement of democracy in that country. Please contact Cliff Stammerman or Ben Dailey in Delahunt's office before close of business today as that will be the closing of original cosponsors."

= = =

Become an original co-sponsor of a resolution opposing the coup d'état in Honduras

Deadline is close of business Thursday, July 9, 2009

Dear Colleague:

We ask you to join us in co-sponsoring the resolution below condemning the coup d'état in Honduras, demanding that Honduran President Manuel Zelaya be returned to office, and welcoming the mediation efforts of Costa Rican President Oscar Arias. As you are no doubt aware, an internal political dispute in Honduras degenerated into a coup d'état on June 28, 2009, in which the democratically-elected President of Honduras was seized by the Honduran military and sent into exile. This move was swiftly condemned by the United
States, the Organization of American States, the European Union, and the United Nations, all of whom have demanded that President Zelaya be reinstated to office.

It is critical that Congress be crystal clear that coups are unacceptable. This is particularly important in Latin America, a region which has suffered greatly in the past from military interference in politics but over the last 30 years has generally moved towards democracy. To accept the overthrow of a democratically-elected government is to wipe away the progress that has been made - progress that has been supported by both Democratic and Republican Presidents and Congresses.

To sign on, please contact Cliff Stammerman or Ben Dailey in Congressman Delahunt's office at (202) 226- 6434 or at cliff.stammerman@mail.house.gov or ben.dailey@mail.house.gov.

Sincerely, Bill Delahunt, James P. McGovern

* * *

CANADA Call to Action:

CUT AID TO ILLEGAL HONDURAN GOVERNMENT
From: torontoboliviasolidarity@gmail.com

Call the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), Peter Kent, to demand that the Canadian government immediately suspend aid to the de facto government of Honduras. Democratically elected Honduran president Manuel Zelaya was overthrown in a military coup on June 28th, and the de facto government has categorically refused to allow his return to power, threatening instead to arrest him if he sets foot on Honduran soil. Zelaya attempted to return to his country on Sunday, but his plane was unable to land after the Honduran military placed vehicles on the runways of the international airport. Meanwhile, at least two peaceful protestors have been killed and others injured, civil liberties have been suspended, and journalists have been harassed and detained by the current authorities.

The Canadian government has denounced the coup. However, its position remains ambiguous. Canada has not cut aid, including military aid, to the illegal government that assumed power following the early morning kidnapping of President Zelaya ten days ago. Honduras is the largest recipient of Canadian aid in the Central American region. The suspension of aid would further isolate the illegal regime that has taken power in Honduras.

Already, the United Nations, Organization of American States (OAS), European Union and others have condemned the coup and called for Zelaya's return. The OAS has expelled Honduras, European and Latin American nations have withdrawn their ambassadors, and multilateral financial institutions including the World Bank have frozen loan payments.

We stand in solidarity with the thousands of Hondurans risking their lives in the streets to demand that their voices and their votes be respected. We join the Honduran and other Latin American communities in Canada in demanding that the Canadian government move beyond words in this urgent situation and take strong action against the illegal government that has taken over in Honduras. Call Minister Kent today!

Take Action! Call, fax, or email Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), Peter Kent at Tel: 613-992-0253, Fax: 613-992-0887, Email: Kent.P@parl.gc.ca. Use the call script below.

Call, fax, or email your MP (click here to contact your MP using your postal code) to demand that the Canadian government:

• unequivocally denounce the military coup
• refuse to recognise any ‘de facto’ government in Honduras
• insist on the unconditional reinstatement of the legitimate Honduran President, Manuel Zelaya
• cut aid to the illegal Honduran government
• demand respect for safety and human rights of all Hondurans
• demand justice and reparations for the illegal actions and rights violations committed during this illegal coup

SUGGEST PHONE CALL SCRIPT: I urge Canada to take strong action to reject the military coup in Honduras. In keeping with the Canadian government’s stated condemnation of the coup, please demand the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of legitimate Honduran President, Manuel Zelaya, as our European allies have already done.

I know that Honduras is the largest recipient of Canadian aid in the Central American region. Please also cut all Canadian assistance to the de facto government, including military aid. Canada must immediately back up its words with actions to further isolate the illegal government in Honduras.

For more information: http://www.barrionuevocanada.blogspot.com/

* * *

FOR INFORMATION FROM HONDURAS, CONTACT: Grahame Russell (Rights Action co-director): info@rightsaction.org, [504] 9630-9507 & 9507-3835

WHAT TO DO

FUNDS ARE NEEDED FOR THIS ON-GOING, ‘PRO-DEMOCRACY’, EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN HONDURAS

Rights Action staff in Honduras are providing emergency relief funds, every day, to community development, campesino, indigenous and human rights organizations for: food and shelter, transportation and communication costs, urgent action outreach and human rights accompaniment work.

Make tax deductible donations to Rights Action and mail to:
UNITED STATES: Box 50887, Washington DC, 20091-0887
CANADA: 552-351 Queen St. E, Toronto ON, M5A-1T8
CREDIT-CARD DONATIONS: http://rightsaction.org/contributions.htm

AMERICANS AND CANADIANS SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN MEDIA, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, SENATORS & MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, TO DEMAND:

• unequivocal denunciation of the military coup
• no recognition of this military coup and the ‘de facto’ government of Roberto Michelletti and the unconditional return of the constitutional government
• increasing economic and military sanctions against the coup regime
• respect for safety and human rights of all Hondurans
• the application of international and national justice the coup plotters, and
• reparations for the illegal actions and rights violations committed during this illegal coup

Greetings folks!

Just to let you know that we've completed our first two "barridos" in New York City with the ACIN's documentary on the 2008 Indigenous Minga, "A Country of People's Without Owners," - one at NYU on Monday night, and last night in Jackson Heights, Queens, in the intimate La Terraza 7 Train Café. These presentations of the film are designed as consciousness-raising events in the community, to draw interested people's attention to an extraordinary process of collective action and resistance.

In the spirit of the "barridos," or community sweeps, that the Communication Team of ACIN constantly do, we're trying to do the same in as many locations as possible in the New York metropolitan area. At NYU, close to 100 people packed the Labowitz auditorium to watch the film, and discuss the impact of the minga, not only on Colombia, but here in the U.S. The fact that President Obama met with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe that day, inspired the crowd to action, and raised considerable amounts of concern.

Then last night, we had a similar event in the small yet exciting Terraza Cafe in the heart of the Colombian community in Queens. The place was packed, and the people were clearly moved by the film itself, as well as the commentary by Tiokasin Ghosthorse (Lakota), and Jesus Avirama (Kokonuco; see photo, left).

People have come out, and seem to be committed to doing more to make visible the position of the minga here up north! I wanted to give a heartfelt thanks to all of you who participated, and for all your wonderful expressions of solidarity!

Next stop, Woodstock, where we'll be showing the film on Tuesday night in another community "barrido/fundraiser." Then in August and September, we are planning more screenings in New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Long Island, as well as some screenings with local trade unions in NYC! For those events, we're hoping we can bring up some of the people of ACIN's communication team to join us...this of course depends on the resources we can muster.


If you are interested in holding a community screening and fundraiser, or have ideas of how we can expand the reach of the barridos, please send me an email at marioradio@gmail.com. These events are serving two functions: one, to publicize the work of the minga, and two, to help raise some resources for the ACIN's Communication team. We don't have any false illusions that we're going to raise tons of funds, but considering how much incredible media and communication work my friends in the Tejido de Comunicación of ACIN are able to do with practically nothing, a little bit of financial support goes a very long way.

Oh, I almost forgot, check out the latest issue of NACLA's Report on the Americas, which focuses entirely on the paramilitary corruption in Colombia. The July-August 2009 issue also includes an article I wrote about the violence directed at indigenous communities in Cauca. Also, to get a real sense of the levels of violence being directed at the people in Cauca by right wing terror, check out ACIN's website, and read this important missive about the rise of the "Aguilas Negras," in the department, and the reign of terror they are waging. These are issues that most likely did not get raised in Monday's meeting between Obama and Uribe, but they must be on the agenda as they move forward and continue discussing ways to "strengthen their bilateral agenda." Human rights and social justice must not take a back seat to trade and military aid.


For now, I leave you with some pics from last night's event at La Terraza 7 Train Cafe, which includes Tiokasin and Chucho!

Cheers,

MAMA

Monday's Meeting Between Uribe and Obama: An overview from CIP

President Barack Obama and Colombian President Álvaro Uribe took a few questions from reporters after their meeting yesterday afternoon. The Washington Post has published the transcript. The record is mixed. A few quick observations.

1. President Obama should have made a clearer public statement of concern about human rights. Colombia’s community of human rights defenders feels increasingly intimidated by President Uribe and other members of his government, who regularly threaten their security with public statements alleging, without proof, that they are tied to guerrillas. They can derive little comfort from President Obama’s statement yesterday that “I commended President Uribe on the progress that has been made in human rights in Colombia and dealing with the killings of labor leaders there.”

Also confusing was President Obama’s reference to “steps that have already been made on issues like extrajudicial killings and illegal surveillance,” since President Uribe frequently makes statements seeking to minimize the extrajudicial killings problem and has said very little about the illegal surveillance carried out by the DAS, his presidential intelligence service.

It was good that President Obama voiced the concern “that it is important that Colombia pursue a path of rule of law and transparency,” but he then nullified the impact by adding, “I know that that is something that President Uribe is committed to doing.”

2. Human rights concerns were probably conveyed more strongly to President Uribe in private. We can infer that from President Uribe’s unprompted declaration that “We are very receptive to receive any advice, any suggestions, on how we are going to fulfill our goal of civil — civil violations of human rights in Colombia; about surveillance.”

3. The message on free trade is not new. Here is what President Obama said:

I have instructed Ambassador Kirk, our United States trade representative, to begin working closely with President Uribe’s team on how we can proceed on a free trade agreement.

There are obvious difficulties involved in the process, and there remains work to do. But I’m confident that ultimately we can strike a deal that is good for the people of Colombia and good for the people of the United States. …

I don’t have a strict timetable, because I’m going to have to consult with Congress, obviously, on this issue. We’ve got a lot on our plates, if you haven’t noticed.

And I think that the burden is not simply on Colombia. I think Colombia has done a lot of excellent work. It is a matter of getting both countries to a place where their legislatures can feel confident that it will be ultimately to the economic benefit of these countries.

I have noted a special concern that is bipartisan and shared both both by this administration and Congress that the human rights issues in Colombia get resolved.

Compare that with the statements of U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk after the Trinidad and Tobago Summit of the Americas more than two months ago, as reported by Reuters, and it’s clear that little has changed.

Kirk told reporters on Monday that Obama “is a great admirer of President Uribe and more significantly the very substantive work that he has done on issue of safety and protecting workers.”

“Having said that, the president has asked me now to follow up and take the lead in meeting with the Colombian ambassadors and others to map out a strategy to identify what remaining issues we have,” Kirk said.

4. The message on re-election was surprising, but welcome. Few observers expected President Obama to express an opinion on President Uribe’s possible pursuit of a third term in office. But his message, while qualified with “every country has to make decisions on their own,” was quite clear: two terms are enough.

We know that our experience in the United States is that two terms works for us and that after eight years usually the American people want a change.

You know, I related to President Uribe the fact that our most revered president, or at least one of our two most revered presidents, George Washington, part of what made him so great was not just being the founder of our country, but also the fact that at a time when he could have stayed president for life, he made a decision that after service he was able to step aside and return to civilian life. And that set a precedent then for the future.

But as I said, each country, I think, has to make these decisions on their own. And I think what’s ultimately most important is that the people feel a sense of legitimacy and ownership, and that this is not something imposed on them from the top, that it’s not — does not involve manipulations of the electorate or, you know, rigging of the electoral process or repression of opposition voices, but that whatever is determined is done in an open, transparent way so that people feel confident that whoever’s in power represents their voices and their interests.

Obama and Uribe Just Like Old Pals in Monday's Meeting

Pres. Obama Meets with Pres. Uribe of Colombia

President Obama met with President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia in the Oval Office to discuss U.S.-Colombia relations on Monday. It was their first meeting since Obama became President, and was a major about face from Obama's strong concerns voiced on the campaign trail about Colombia's human rights record. They covered a lot of issues in their meeting, including the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

We'll have more on this in the coming days, but here is a link to the C-Span video of the joint press briefing that took place on Monday. The president also responded to questions on the situation in Honduras surrounding the ousting of President Manuel Zelaya.