09 July 2003

Powell Certifies that Colombia Meets Requirements for U.S. Aid, July 8, 2003

(Determination triggers the release of $31.6 million in assistance)

By Scott Miller
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Secretary of State Colin Powell certified to the U.S. Congress on July 7 that the Colombian government and armed forces are meeting U.S. congressional criteria related to human rights and severance of ties to paramilitary groups.

Under U.S. law, 75 percent of U.S. assistance to Colombia may be disbursed without the secretary of state's certification. The release of the remaining 25 percent, however, is released in two tranches of 12.5 percent each and is contingent upon the secretary's determination that Colombia is meeting the conditions set by the U.S. Congress.

These conditions include that Colombian authorities sever links with paramilitary organizations and execute outstanding orders for the capture of paramilitary leaders. Other requirements are that the Colombian armed forces suspend military officers credibly alleged to have committed gross human rights violations or to have aided or abetted paramilitary organizations. The armed forces must also cooperate with civilian authorities in prosecuting and punishing such individuals.

According to a July 8 statement issued by the State Department, Powell made the decision to certify Colombia's compliance with these criteria following discussions with the Colombian government and armed forces, consultations with international and Colombian human rights organizations, and based on information provided by the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá.

Powell's determination will trigger the release of the first tranche of 12.5 percent, or $31.6 million, in aid to Colombia. The secretary will determine at the end of August or early September 2003 whether to release the remaining $31.6 million of U.S. assistance to Colombia, a senior State Department official said at a July 8 briefing.

While lauding Colombia's "notable progress" on human rights issues, the State Department indicated that there is room for continued improvement. In its July 8 statement, the State Department said "human rights are central to our policy in Colombia," adding "we recognize that more needs to be done to improve the human rights performance of the [Colombian] armed forces, including ending military-paramilitary collaboration."

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe, the State Department said, shares these concerns and is committed to working with the United States to achieve these objectives.

The senior State Department official said that suspension or dismissal of several dozen members of Colombia's armed forces for links to -- or activities related to -- the nation's illegal armed groups suggests that there are still some remaining links to such groups, but he argued that these suspensions or dismissals also demonstrate the Uribe Administration's commitment to take action against the perpetrators of human rights violations.

Overall, the official concluded, the Uribe Administration has been "very successful" to date and has made "significant progress" in improving security and advancing coca eradication efforts in Colombia. Assessing Uribe's achievements thus far, the official said: "We think, by and large, he's had a good first eleven months" as head of state.