A leading US Senate Democrat on Tuesday urged the incoming administration of President-elect George W. Bush to revise US security aid to Colombia, accusing the Colombian military of continuing to violate human rights.
"Before things get any worse, the coming administration of George W. Bush would do well to take our Colombia policy back to the drawing board," Senator Paul Wellstone wrote in The New York Times.
The lawmaker, who visited Colombia earlier this month, argued the Colombian military continued its human rights abuses despite promises to improve its record in the area.
"Many members of the security forces continue to collaborate with the right-wing paramilitaries, who commit about three-quarters of the politically motivated murders in Colombia," Wellstone wrote.
Earlier this year, the United States approved 1.3 billion dollars to support Plan Colombia, an ambitious program put forward by Colombian President Andres Pastrana, which is designed to curb drug trafficking and boost economic growth.
But the US senator argued the program's emphasis on military measures was counterproductive.
"A more effective approach has to include support for Colombia's peace process, strong new protections for human rights defenders and initiatives to make drug production less attractive to economically desperate peasants by providing support for sustainable alternative crops," he stressed.
Wellstone said the United States should deny Bogota certification of its compliance with acceptable human rights standard and halt its aid until genuine progress is made -- WASHINGTON (AFP)
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