Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy
On Colombian President Alvaro Uribe’s Visit To Washington

[Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) met with President Uribe on Tuesday.  It was their second meeting; the first was shortly after the election.  Leahy chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Foreign Operations (of the Appropriations Committee) and has led congressional efforts to condition U.S. aid to Colombia on improvements in human rights.  Leahy released the following statement on Wednesday:] 

“I have found President Uribe to be an intelligent, serious and determined man who wants the best for his country.

“He told me of the steps he is taking to involve the Colombian people in the effort to combat the guerrillas and paramilitaries.  We discussed his plans, and I let him know of my concerns, especially about the failures of the Colombian justice system to prosecute high-level military and paramilitary leaders responsible for human rights violations.  Impunity is the norm, and justice is not.  This is one of his biggest challenges.

“I want President Uribe to succeed, and I told him that. We all do.  But I also want to be sure that when the United States gives aid, we do not compromise our principles or our commitment to human rights and the rule of law. 

“I was disappointed by the Secretary of State’s recent certification that Colombia has met the human rights conditions in our law.  There are examples of progress, but the big picture is disappointing.  The collaboration between the military and paramilitaries continues.

“On the positive side, on Tuesday the Justice Department announced indictments against several Colombian paramilitary leaders.  They are individuals who Senator Kennedy and I have repeatedly urged the Colombian Government to arrest.”

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