House Approves
$1.7 Billion in Military Aid
For Colombia
WASHINGTON
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CUT Leader
Talks with
UE Members |
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Patricia Buritica Cespedes, a member of the National
Executive Committee of Colombia’s largest union federation, the CUT told
union members in Pittsburgh last month that the $1.7 billion military aid
package pushed by the Clinton Administration will wreck the peace process in
her country. Talks between the government and guerrillas offer the best chance
of social stability and curbing trafficking, said Buritica, who is director of
the CUT Women’s Dept. She is pictured with UE Genl. Pres. John Hovis and UE
Local 690 Vice Pres. John Thompson, who serves as District 6 political action
co-chair. |
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The House of Representatives on March 29 approved a $1.7
billion military aid package for Colombia. The bill passed 263 to 146; it now
goes to the Senate, where a vote is expected in late May.
Republicans backed President Clinton in voting for the
measure, which is intended to curb drug trafficking. A number of House
Democrats opposed the measure. "We’re being asked to enter into a huge
new commitment to underwrite a war in Colombia," said Rep. David Obey (D.,
Wis.).
Big U.S. military contractors, and corporations with interests
in Colombia, lobbied heavily for greater U.S. involvement in the South
American nation.
Many familiar with events in Colombia say the Clinton strategy
is doomed to failure, and will involve the U.S. in a civil war that goes far
beyond the drug trade. Increased military aid will involve the U.S. deeper in
support of a brutal and corrupt military that cooperates with right-wing
paramilitary groups, which are often themselves implicated in the drug trade.
UE opposes military aid for Colombia, pointing out the role of
the military and death squads in making that country the world’s most
dangerous place to be a trade unionist. "Massive infusions of military
aid will not only increase the number of deaths and massacres carried out by
all the armed groups, but will also strengthen hard-liners in Colombia who
oppose the peace process," say UE’s national officers in a letter to
President Clinton.
UE News - 04/00
