From: Colombian Labor Monitor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2001 07:52:42 -0500 (CDT)
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: REUTERS: IMF reform sparks protests, clashes in Colombia
[NOTE: The struggles against neoliberalism and multinational
corporations has cost the lives of hundreds of Colombian unionists
who have been targets of a relentless dirty war waged against
them by the security forces and their paramilitary allies. More
than 3,000 unionists have been assassinated over the past fifteen
years. -DG]
==========================================
``We will continue fighting this patriotic
battle, which defends the spirit of the
constitution, to have resources set aside
for health and education,'' said Gloria
Ramirez, head of the Colombian Teachers'
Federation.
_____________ ==========================================
REUTERS
Friday, 8 June 2001
IMF reform sparks protests,
clashes in Colombia
---------------------------
By Phil Stewart
BOGOTA -- Thousands of teachers, doctors and union activists demonstrated
across Colombia on Thursday, blocking roads and clashing with police in
protest of an IMF-backed bill that could slash funds for health and
education in the war-torn Andean country.
The protests, which have been building since teachers and doctors went on
strike May 15, escalated after a congressional panel late Wednesday gave a
green light to the controversial law -- ushering it ahead for a final,
full floor vote.
``We will continue fighting this patriotic battle, which defends the
spirit of the constitution, to have resources set aside for health and
education,'' said Gloria Ramirez, head of the Colombian Teachers'
Federation.
Colombia's Finance Minister Juan Manuel Santos has threatened to resign if
Congress fails to approve the International Monetary Fund-backed
``transfers bill,'' before lawmakers head into recess on June 20.
The law would amend the constitution to cap the level of federal transfers
to states -- which now absorb about half the government's revenues. It
would free up sorely needed funds to trim Colombia's budget deficit and
pay off foreign debt.
The IMF deemed the law crucial when it inked a 1999 bailout agreement, and
market watchers have warned it could yank $2.7 billion in standby loans if
the belt-tightening reform fails its last hurdle.
But teachers and health workers' unions say that the law would inevitably
lead to cutbacks for schools and hospitals because it leaves spending
priorities up to the states.
An armored personnel carrier tried to disperse protesters with a water
cannon in the capital Bogota Thursday afternoon, dousing the flames of
molotov cocktails smashed on the street. Police smashed the gates of a
hospital to reach a swarm of demonstrators on rooftops and in the front
patio.
In Colombia's northeast, riot police attempted to break up road blocks,
injuring several people and leading to an unknown number of arrests.
Unionized workers at state oil firm Ecopetrol joined the protest, but
refining continued normally, the company said.
The protests have escalated despite repeated pleas to the public from
Santos, a favorite of Wall Street who is viewed as the economic policy
backbone of a government more concerned with ending Colombia's 37-year-old
guerrilla war.
In a recent televised address to the nation, the Finance Minister warned
the financial measure could decide the fiscal future of Colombia.
Amid protests, Santos cheered Wednesday's vote in Congress and said
overcoming opposition had been an uphill challenge -- especially as
Colombia readies for congressional and presidential elections in less than
a year.
``It (the vote) was not easy since public opinion has not been very
positive,'' Santos said.
A Finance Ministry spokesman said a date for the final vote on the
transfers law had not yet been set, but could take place late next week.
Copyright 2001 Reuters
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