-Caveat Lector-
Colombian paramilitary group using abduction for political gain
By MICHAEL EASTERBROOK
The Associated Press
11/4/00 3:40 PM
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- Following in the tradition of Colombia's
drug cartels and leftist guerrillas, the nation's rightist
paramilitary militias are now using kidnapping as an effective
political tool.
The United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC, appears to be
having some success using seven captive lawmakers as bargaining
chips to gain a voice in peace talks between the government and
leftist rebels and prevent a proposed rebel prisoner swap,
officials say.
"There is no doubt that the AUC has increased its political
leverage," said Daniel Garcia-Pena, a former government peace
envoy.
Adding to the pressure, suspected paramilitary gunmen killed at
least 16 unarmed townspeople in northwestern Antioquia state on
Friday, accusing them of being guerrilla sympathizers, Antioquia
police commander Guillermo Aranda said Saturday.
The AUC's notorious leader, Carlos Castano, announced Wednesday
that he was holding the lawmakers, who were abducted two weeks
ago, and demanded a place at the negotiating table. He also
criticized President Andres Pastrana for not taking a tougher
negotiating stance against the guerrillas.
Pastrana has refused to include Castano in the talks with the
leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, the
country's largest guerrilla group. Many in Colombia oppose the
AUC's inclusion, charging that the group has committed widespread
massacres and assassinations.
A growing number of Colombians, however, believe the
landowner-backed paramilitaries must eventually be recognized.
"They are an armed group who are fighting the rebels and are part
of this conflict who cannot be ignored," Attorney General Jaime
Bernal said.
In an editorial this week, Bogota's El Espectador newspaper said
it was time to "stop making false moral distinctions" and to
involve all of Colombia's armed factions in the peace process.
And while insisting it would not be intimidated by the
paramilitary leader, even the government appears to be bending in
his direction.
A day after Castano said he was holding the seven lawmakers, the
government indicated it would consider sending an official to
meet with him providing he agrees to free the captives. It would
be the first known government meeting with Castano.
The government also appears to be backing off a proposed prisoner
exchange with the guerrillas -- the deal Castano said prompted
him to kidnap the lawmakers, all of whom were proponents of the
swap.
Many feared the deal -- trading 450 jailed rebels for more than
500 police and soldiers held by the guerrillas -- would
strengthen the rebels and spark even more abductions in a nation
already plagued by nearly 3,000 kidnappings a year.
Until Castano grabbed the lawmakers, it appeared the two sides
were closing in on a deal. On Friday, however, Interior Minister
Humberto de la Calle said the government wanted a broader accord
-- along the lines advocated by Castano -- in which the
guerrillas would have to also free 1,500 civilians they are
holding.
Castano has pledged not to harm the lawmakers, who include six
federal legislators and a state assemblyman.
Garcia-Pena likened Castano's attempt to kidnap for political
profit to strategies Colombia's drug gangs and guerrillas use as
a tool to intimidate their opponents.
"Unfortunately this isn't the first time the kidnapping of
prominent figures has been used to gain political leverage," said
Garcia-Pena. "And it certainly will encourage others to do the
same in the future."
Copyright 2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or
redistributed.
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