From: Red Palante! <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Weekly News Update on Colombia #626, 1/27/02
WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE ON THE AMERICAS
ISSUE #626, JANUARY 27, 2002
NICARAGUA SOLIDARITY NETWORK OF GREATER NEW YORK
339 LAFAYETTE ST., NEW YORK, NY 10012
(212) 674-9499 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
*11. COLOMBIA: "PLAN B" IF TALKS FAIL
On Jan. 22, Colombian president Andres Pastrana called for
expanded US military aid to Colombia, including US soldiers to
train Colombian troops to protect oil pipelines, bridges and
other infrastructure from rebel attacks. At the same time,
Pastrana said he hoped the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC) would stick to an Apr. 7 target date for reaching
ceasefire terms. The deadline was part of an agreement signed on
Jan. 20 following talks in the rebel-controlled safe haven in
southern Colombia [see Update #625]. [Miami Herald 1/22/02 &
1/23/02, both from AP]
On Jan. 20, the Colombian weekly El Espectador revealed details
of the US government's "Plan B" for Colombia if peace talks fail.
The plan would channel US military aid directly to the fight
against leftist rebels. [Irish Times 1/21/02]
The FARC meanwhile seems to be stepping up its armed actions.
Explosives strapped to a bicycle blew up on Jan. 25 in front of a
restaurant frequented by police in Bogota, killing four police
officers and a child, and injuring several other people. The
Josefa restaurant is across the street from the Fatima Police
Station in southern Bogota. No one claimed responsibility for the
attack, but Bogota mayor Antanas Mockus said initial
investigations pointed to the FARC. Police also deactivated a car
bomb in a residential area near Bogota's El Dorado airport, and
another explosive device in the western area of the capital.
The FARC has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks on
electricity towers around the country that have caused power
rationing in three departments. The rebels also downed towers
south of Bogota, causing authorities to announce an electricity
rate hike to cover the repairs. The FARC was also blamed for a
car bombing that closed a highway briefly on Jan. 24. [MH 1/26/02
from AP; La Jornada (Mexico) 1/26/02 from AFP, DPA, Reuters]
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Weekly News Update on the Americas * Nicaragua Solidarity Network of NY
339 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012 * 212-674-9499 fax: 212-674-9139
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