Colombia Senator Witness in Scandal

15.12.06

www.plenglish.com

Senator Miguel de la Espriella is giving a deposition Tuesday before magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice on the signing of an agreement between paramilitary leaders and Colombian politicians in 2001.

De la Espriella announced he will tell the whole truth over that event and links among politicians and the United Autodefenses of Colombia (AUC).

On November, he affirmed that in 2001 forty lawmakers flew to Santa Fe de Ralito to clinch a political pact supporting a public opinion movement to boost AUC proposals at government talks.

After noting that the government of President Alvaro Uribe was unaware of that agreement, De la Espriella assured that among signatories appear political leaders of Cordova state, journalists as well as neoliberal and conservative politicians that are members of the current leadership.

His revelation may involve other congresspeople in what is called the para-politics scandal, referring to alleged links between paramilitary groups and politicians in this nation.

On Nov 9, the Supreme Court of Justice issued arrest warrants without the benefit of parole for ostensible links with AUC against congressmen Alvaro Garcia, Jairo Merlano and Erik Morris, from northern Sucre province.

Less than ten days later, that judicial entity began to question six other legislators for their apparent ties with paramilitarism.

New Govt-Paramilitary Links in Colombia

The Colombian Attorney General s Office is investigating ties between Magdalena Gov. Trino Luna and some soccer directors and players with drug trafficking and the leaders of the paramilitary AUC (Self-Defense Forces of Colombia).

Attorney General Mario Iguaran said Luna has been called to make a statement on his alleged ties with the AUC, and recalled that related investigations, involving the governors of Meta and Casanare Departments, have been carried out for over a year.

Iguaran affirmed Luna was summoned not only for irregularities over administrative hiring practices, but also for links with the AUC, part of what has been called the para-politics scandal.

When questioned on the possible involvement of military officers from Magdalena and Sucre in para-politics, the attorney general replied that they are still compiling evidence and will present the necessary charges when ready.

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