Army commanders fired for killings received U.S. training and

By John Lindsay Poland

Colombian Army commander Mario Montoya resigned today, in the wake of a scandal over army killings of civilians that a United Nations official on Saturday called " systematic and widespread." A protégé of the United States, Montoya received training at the notorious U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA) and has also taught other soldiers as an instructor at the SOA. Montoya was an architect of the "body count" counterinsurgency strategy that many analysts believe led to the systematic civilian killings. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe announced the dismissal of 27 military officers on October 29, including three generals and 11 colonels and lieutenant colonels, for human rights abuses. The abuses include involvement in the killings of dozens of youths who were recruited in Bogotá slums and shortly after were reported as killed in combat by the army, hundreds of miles away.

The dismissal is a positive action, which we applaud. Officers responsible for killing civilians must face consequences, or the killing will continue.

Human rights organizations have documented more than 500 reported extrajudicial killings by the army since the beginning of last year. This week, Amnesty International issued a scathing report on worsening conditions in Colombia, including massive displacement of internal refugees, increased extrajudicial killings, and attacks on human rights defenders. A New York Times front-page story on October 30 also highlighted the problem, and cited FOR's research on extrajudicial executions, as did a Los Angeles Times story. But it was the report that poor Bogota youths whose families said they had disappeared, had been recruited by the army or others, then reported as dead in combat, that detonated the issue. Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos admitted that the army still harbors "holdouts who are demanding bodies for results." The dismissal of officers also demonstrates extensive U.S. complicity with the abuses. The United States gave military training directly or assisted the units of nearly all of the officers implicated in the killings. At least eleven of the officers, including Brigadier Generals Paulino Coronado Gamez and José Cortes Franco, were trained at the U.S. Army School of the Americas, and Cortes even served as an instructor at the school in 1994. Most of the officers commanded units that had been 'vetted' by U.S. officials for human rights abuses and approved to receive assistance in 2008, or received training for some officers, in spite of extensive reports that their units had carried out murders of civilians.

Yet the dismissal, which focuses on officers operating in a northeastern region of Colombia where the disappeared youths were found, addresses only a small number of the army units responsible for civilian killings. In the oil-rich Casanare and Arauca departments, the U.S.-trained 16th and 18th Brigades have reportedly committed dozens of killings, as has the U.S.-supported 9th Brigade in the coffee-growing department of Huila. In southeastern Valle and Cauca, the Third Brigade's Codazzi Batallion receives U.S. support and reportedly committed at least nine killings of civilians last year, as may be implicated in firing on peaceful indigenous protesters this month. In southern Meta and Guaviare departments, the United States supports multiple mobile brigades in areas where the army has committed a large number of civilian killings. Army chief Montoya is replaced by Major General Gilberto Rocha Ayala. In 2003-04, Rocha commanded the army's Second Brigade in northeastern Colombia. Under his command, Colonel Hernán Mejia, then commander of the La Popa Battalion, is under investigation by the Colombian Prosecutor General for reportedly engineering the killing of paramilitaries and passing them off as guerrillas. Rocha also commanded the army's Ninth Brigade in 2002-03, with jurisdiction in Huila province, where human rights groups report some six extrajudicial executions occurring during his command. Rocha Ayala was an instructor at the School of the Americas in 1995.

In addition, most of the army's current leadership - including 17 of 24 brigade commanders - were trained by the United States at the School of the Americas, on top of U.S. training provided to Colombian officers at dozens of other military schools and in Colombia. Washington is involved in the army's human rights problem through and through, and journalists, activists, and Congressional staff ought to ask when the United States will stop financing such murderous criminal operations. We believe the time is now.

Government Addresses Indigenous Movement's Five Main Points - Popular March to Cali Begins Today in Cauca

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

As mobilization in Cauca and the rest of Colombia continues, the government of Alvaro Uribe finally addressed the five point agenda of the Popular and Indigenous Minga, a small step forward after over a week of intense military confrontations with the protesters. The ACIN put out a response to the government's points, as they were getting ready to begin the long march to Cali over the next several days. Here is the Spanish version. Also be sure to check out the report from the International Federation of Human Rights, (FIDH) which was distributed earlier by the Colombian human rights NGO Colectivo de Abogados and is posted below in an earlier blog.

Así vamos trabajando la agenda
10/20/2008Autor: ACIN
El Gobierno Colombiano menciona la existencia de la agenda de movilización de los pueblos. En este texto, avanzamos con un análisis serio de lo que esta implica y propone y lo sometemos a la consideración d ela opinión pública.

En la edición matinal del Noticiero de Caracol Televisión, el Ministro de Agricultura Andrés Felipe Arias finalmente reconoce a nombre del Gobierno Nacional, los cinco temas de la agenda de la Minga de los Pueblos. Aunque la presenta de manera displicente y distorsionada, este es un avance significativo frente a la actitud y declaraciones de los últimos días. Respondemos a este hecho avanzando con unas explicaciones y claridades para que la opinión pública comprenda lo que estamos proponiendo.

En estas líneas hacemos una lectura exclusivamente desde los pueblos indígenas, para ilustrar el análisis de la temática, entendiendo que aplican con especificidades a otros asuntos, pueblos, sectores y procesos.

1. Es claro que nuestra lucha, en el aspecto reivindicativo, incluye el tema de tierras que es trascendental para los pueblos indígenas. Pero lo reiteramos para que quede claro, no exigimos que se cumplan convenios y se resuelvan necesidades y derechos solamente en el tema tierras; el tema tierras no es un problema exclusivo de los pueblos indígenas ni se trata de una exigencia solamente para el Cauca. Sobre este tema seguiremos profundizando nuestras propuestas desde la abundante experiencia, evidencia y documentación que existe de modo que superemos los planteamientos superficiales que viene haciendo el Gobierno desde el propio Presidente. En esencia se trata de que el Gobierno cumpla con compromisos adquiridos que debe conocer la opinión pública. Dado que ya existen acuerdos y convenios, no buscamos negociar nada nuevo por el momento, sino que se de cumplimiento a lo convenido.

2. Frente al tema de los Tratados de Libre Comercio. En primer lugar reiteramos con toda claridad que sí es un tema trascendental de nuestra agenda de movilización y que debe ser abordado. Le recordamos al Gobierno Nacional que el TLC con los Estados Unidos ya cumplió su trámite en Colombia y ha sido aprobado por el Congreso de Colombia. Aunque tenemos reparos serios frente a todo el proceso de negociación, al carácter inconsulto del mismo y al trámite de aprobación, en este momento el TLC está en manos del Congreso de los Estados Unidos. Reconociendo esta realidad, proponemos mecanismos de interlocución frente al Congreso de los Estados Unidos. No tiene ninguna utilidad debatir el tema con el Gobierno de Colombia. Los motivos para rechazar este tratado y otros similares han sido planteados ampliamente y los reiteramos. Recordamos además que realizamos consultas populares transparentes, internacionalmente verificadas y democráticas en las que el 98% de los votantes dieron un rotundo NO al TLC.

3. El tema que hemos denominado “Legislación de Despojo” es ejemplificado por el Estatuto Rural o Ley 1152 de 2007. Tomamos como precedente la Sentencia C-030 de 2008 de la Honorable Corte Constitucional que declaró inexequible la Ley Forestal1 . En ese sentido exigimos que el Estatuto Rural, el código de Minas, los Planes de Aguas y todas las leyes que han debido ser sometidas a consulta previa según lo ordena el Acuerdo 169 de la OIT, Ley 21 de 19912 . Frente a esta demanda, exigimos que se deroguen de inmediato estas leyes (empezando por el Estatuto Rural) y se sometan proyectos de Ley al Congreso, que las sustituyan y que contemplen claramente los resultados y contenidos de un proceso apropiado y democrático de consulta previa.

4. En cuanto al tema de “Seguridad Democrática”, terror y guerra, repudiamos el repetitivo asesinato de indígenas, en promedio más de 100 por año durante los 6 años de presidencia del doctor Álvaro Uribe Vélez, 17 crímenes de los cuales han sido cometidos entre el 17 de septiembre de 2008 y el día de hoy, ocho (de ellos por la fuerza pública, uno (1) por la guerrilla, cuatro (4) por los paramilitares y dos (2) por autores aun no conocidos. La ONIC ha estado elaborando reportes sobre violaciones de derechos humanos de manera seria y sistemática, sin que se haya logrado un compromiso serio y eficaz por parte del Gobierno Nacional para que se detenga la guerra sucia y el terror contra los indígenas, se investiguen los hechos y no queden en la más absoluta impunidad y se establezcan garantías para la vida y seguridad de personas y colectivos en coordinación con los pueblos y autoridades indígenas. El record del Gobierno Nacional frente a los pueblos indígenas es vergonzoso. El diagnóstico y las recomendaciones hechas por el Relator Especial para los Pueblos Indígenas de Naciones Unidas, sigue siendo válido. Hay evidencia de un franco deterioro que apunta hacia el etnocidio y genocidio e inclusive la extinción de varios pueblos. A esto se suma el tratamiento criminal y de guerra que se le dio a la presente movilización, lo que amerita una investigación y documentación que conduzca a procesos de verdad, justicia y reparación integral a la vez que a la protección real de los pueblos indígenas en tanto pueblos y culturas y sujetos de derechos. En este momento, como consecuencia de los señalamientos fabricados y falsos que nos ha hecho el Gobierno y la fuerza pública como terroristas y manipulados por las FARC, nos ha involucrado directamente en el conflicto armado y en razón de esto, ha provocado un riesgo inminente de ataques contra la integridad, bienestar y seguridad individual y colectiva de todos los que hemos tomado parte en la Minga de los Pueblos. Responsabilizamos al Gobierno Nacional de haber creado esta situación de riesgo y de inminente amenaza contra nuestros pueblos. El propio Estado que debe protegernos, nos amenaza. En consecuencia, se hace necesaria la intervención y presencia inmediata de una comisión internacional que pueda asumir funciones concretas para que se de respuesta real a esta gravísima situación. Comisión para la que solicitamos la presencia y coordinación de James Anaya, Relator Especial para los Pueblos Indígenas de las Naciones Unidas.

Durante la presente movilización, al igual que durante todo su mandato, el Presidente Uribe y su Gobierno, han asumido una actitud particularmente preocupante frente a los pueblos indígenas, insistiendo en negarnos los derechos específicos que debe reconocernos y garantizarnos por mandato constitucional y legal. Insiste en presentar estos derechos como privilegios inmerecidos o abusos, en el propósito de generar resentimiento y promover conflicto con otros sectores sociales. Llamamos la atención sobre esta actitud y políticas peligrosas y amenazantes, que van generando discriminación y promoviendo prejuicios.

El Presidente y el Ministro de Agricultura manipulan cifras e interpretan diversos hechos de manera distorsionada para que otros sectores y la ciudadanía en general perciban que recibimos privilegios inmerecidos o que, peor aún, somos culpables de sus problemas y dificultades. Esto es falso y no tiene sustento en la realidad. La pobreza y la injusticia social nos afectan y son responsabilidad de las políticas de Estado de las que somos víctimas.

Afirmamos nuestro compromiso con el bienestar de todos los pueblos, con la equidad y la justicia social y lo hacemos como pueblos ancestrales y originarios. En consecuencia, exigimos que el Gobierno cese en su empeño de confundir la garantía de derechos colectivos, justicia social y equidad, obligaciones permanentes postergadas y negadas desde el Estado, con el derecho a la diferencia y el respeto por la diversidad.

Como pueblos indígenas, exigimos que la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas sea ratificada por el Estado Colombiano como Ley de la República. De la misma manera, respaldamos los derechos específicos de los demás pueblos y sectores sociales, siempre dentro un marco de justicia social y equidad. Lo que es aberrante y debe desaparecer es la concentración de tierras y riquezas y la legislación que garantiza beneficios y privilegios a gamonales, terratenientes, estratos altos y transnacionales a costa de la pobreza y explotación de la mayoría.

Una vez que nuestra agenda sea reconocida, comienza un proceso ya postergado de manera excesiva e innecesaria para abordarla y resolverla de manera integral y seria. Ello impone transformaciones profundas, no solo frente a los pueblos indígenas, sino para todos los sectores y todo el país. Se requiere asumir esta realidad de la manera más seria y madura posible. Seguir postergando estas transformaciones es irresponsable y está sumiendo al país en una sin salida que hasta ahora beneficia algunos intereses particulares, pero que resulta insostenible en el corto plazo, aún para quienes han acumulado beneficios. Transformar la institucionalidad Colombiana para beneficio de toda la sociedad, es necesario, posible e inevitable.

El manejo irresponsable que le da el Gobierno y los medios comerciales de comunicación a estos temas, requiere de la movilización consciente de amplios sectores y de la consolidación y desarrollo práctico de una agenda nacional en Minga para avanzar hacia el país posible y necesario. Esta Minga se propone establecer un camino sólido desde los pueblos para construir y poner en marcha una agenda de unidad, desde la diversidad y el respeto, a partir de sentir y compartir el dolor para que se haga camino de vida y libertad.

Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte del Cauca-ACINACIN – Cxab Wala KiweSantander de Quilichao, Octubre 20 de 2008.

1. Dice la sentencia literalmente_AA_CoLoN_ “Para que se hubiese cumplido con el requisito de la consulta habría sido necesario, poner en conocimiento de las comunidades, por intermedio de instancias suficientemente representativas, el proyecto de ley; ilustrarlas sobre su alcance y sobre la manera como podría afectarlas y darles oportunidades efectivas para que se pronunciaran sobre el mismo. Ese proceso no se cumplió, razón por la cual la Corte concluye que, dado que la ley versa sobre una materia que se relaciona profundamente con la cosmovisión de esas comunidades y su relación con la tierra, y que, por acción o por omisión, es susceptible de afectarlas de manera directa y específica, no hay alternativa distinta a la de declarar la inexequibilidad de la ley.

2. Por todo lo anterior, la Corte declarará la inexequibilidad de la Ley 1021 de 2006 “Por la cual se expide la Ley General Forestal”.

No More Murders of Indigenous People in Colombia!

International Federation for Human Rights Press Release October 17, 2008 Paris, Bogota, October 17, 2008 – <http://www.colectivodeabogados.org/article.php3?id_article=1446> --

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) repudiates the violent repression of the protest carried out by the indigenous communities in several departments of Colombia, which as of October 16 had resulted in one indigenous person dead, more than 100 wounded –many gravely–, and 8 families being evicted. [1] 19 police officers had also been wounded.

Since October 11, approximately 10,000 indigenous persons have been mobilized throughout the country to celebrate the "Minga for Social and Community Resistance" in order to remember the anniversary of the landing of the Spanish on the American continent and to request the respect for their fundamental rights, beginning with their right to life [2] and the reestablishment of their territorial rights, in accordance with the commitments of the Colombian government before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. [3]

The Indigenous Communities concentrated in La María, an indigenous reservation declared a territory of peace and co-existence by the Colombian government in 1999 (municipality of Piendamó, located in the center of the department of Cauca), as well as along the Pan-American Highway. Since October 13, a contingent of at least 1000 armed men (including personnel from the national police, the anti-riot police –ESMAD–, and the national army) have been present in Cauca, supported by armored cars and helicopters.

On October 14, General Páez Varón issued an ultimatum to protestors to disperse from the highway, warning that otherwise they would be forcibly cleared. He also asserted the movement was infiltrated by the FARC, which later was refuted by indigenous leaders. In the early morning of October 15, the protestors were assaulted with rifles, tear gas, and hand grenades, which caused the death of one person and wounded dozens more. On previous days, several persons had also been wounded and four arbitrarily detained. The FIDH repudiates this disproportionate use of force and expresses its profound concern for the reports of armed civilians protected by the police shooting at the protestors from the mountainside, as well as for the acts of barbarity committed by members of ESMAD, which resulted gravely wounding an indigenous person with a machete. They had also left this person on the ground for several hours and impeded the arrival of ambulances to assist him.

The FIDH also denounces the attack perpetrated by the armed forces against the health center and the destruction of first aid kits being used by indigenous persons to assist the wounded, as well as for having impeded the arrival of an ambulance and obstructing the work of medical staff and human rights defenders. The destruction of several houses belonging to indigenous persons is also repudiated.

The FIDH recalls that these grave events occur within a general context of grave, systematic and repeated violations of the rights of indigenous peoples in Colombia. In the last month, 29 indigenous persons were murdered, [4] and over the last six years more than 1,240 indigenous persons have been murdered in Colombia [5] and at least 53,885 displaced. [6] Within this context, we are also deeply concerned by the statements made by senior government authorities, including the President of Colombia, according to whom terrorists have infiltrated the protestors. [7]

In this respect, it has also been reported two members of military intelligence were found with camouflage uniforms, two-way radios, and a weapons and explosive manual. They were retained inside of the La Maria reservation and turned over to the commission made up of the United Nations and State control agencies. These accusations and manipulations open the possibility for even more ferocious repression.

In this respect, the FIDH recalls that on days prior to the march the Embera Chami indigenous persons Luz Marina Morales, Mauricio Largo Bañol and Cesar Largo Alarcon were massacred –and the 70-year-old Maria Angelica Alcarcon was wounded- by the paramilitary structure called « Black Eagles ». The same situation has occurred in the Department of Cauca where in the past days 11 Paez indigenous persons have been murdered, including Nicolás Valencia Lemus, Celestino Rivera, César Hurtado Tróchez, and former senior advisor of CRIC Raul Mendoza, on September 28, 2008.

One month before the mobilization, the Paez had received death threats from the same paramilitary group, as well as the announcement of an extermination during the march, incidents which coincided with the resignation of Juan José Cháux Mosquera, former governor of Cauca and ambassador in the Dominican Republic, due to his alleged ties with paramilitarism in Colombia. [8]

The FIDH urges President Uribe to agree to the request for dialogue formulated since October 9 by the indigenous communities that demand the guarantee of their fundamental rights, beginning with the right to life, respect for their territory, and the immediate cessation of armed operations against the social mobilizations carried out by indigenous communities and peasants.

The FIDH also requests for these incidents to be the object of a prompt and impartial investigation and to punish the authors of these crimes. Likewise, it calls upon the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office (Defensoría del Pueblo) and the Inspector General’s Office (Procuraduria General de la Nación) to be present in the affected area.

The FIDH calls upon the international community to urgently send and international mission to investigate these graves events. This is essential since the mass media has not been able to reach said areas. [1]

In the following distribution: Department of Cauca, one indigenous person murdered, 89 gravely wounded, 7 of them by gunfire, 17 by explosive devices, and 21 by machete, 8 families evicted and attempted violation of a minor. Department of Valle 26 indigenous persons wounded. Department of Risaralda 14 indigenous persons wounded by the Colombian public force (Sources: Autoridad Nacional de Gobierno Indígena – ONIC and Sistema de Información Nacional sobre Derechos Humanos – SINDH; Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas en el Norte del Cauca (ACIN), Saldo de la Barbabarie cometida en la María Piendamó, October 16, 2008, http://www.nasaacin.org/noticias.htm?x=8918). [2]

Likewise, requests have been made for special measures to be implemented urgently and in a coordinated fashion with the indigenous authorities insofar as the present grave humanitarian crisis, especially for those communities and peoples facing extinction, as well as measures to overcome the impunity of grave human rights violations. [3]

Several agreements were signed between indigenous communities and the Colombian government, including the collective reparation of land the Colombian State Colombia promised to turn over to indigenous communities in Cauca, within the framework of the process for a friendly solution signed before the IACHR, for the massacre committed on December 16, 1991, in which 20 Paez indigenous persons were murdered in the municipality of Caloto (Cauca), and the responsibility for which was attributed to members of the national police and paramilitary structures.

[4] ONIC – SINDH. [5] From January 1, 2002, and October 15, 2008 (ONIC, Las cifras del genocidio contra los pueblos Indígenas de Colombia. October 2008). [6] Coordinadora Andina de Organizaciones Indígenas (CAOI). [7] See discourse presented by President Uribe at the press conference this past Wednesday « Diálogo, sí; violencia y bloqueos, de ninguna manera: Presidente Álvaro Uribe », October 15, 2008, http://web.presidencia.gov.co/sp/2008/octubre/15/09152008.html. [8] See: Radio Caracol, Fiscalía investigará a Juan José Chaux, September 16, 2008 http://www.caracol.com.co/nota.aspx?id=671703.

An Historic Day for Indigenous Peoples

The following message was sent by the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca, ACIN, on Sunday.

An Historic Day for Indigenous Peoples"We don´t have a Government" was the conclusion reached by Feliciano Valencia, a native Nasa leader from CRIC during his speech at the press conference at La María Piendamó. In a deep, firm and measured tone, his words were heard in profound silence by an audience of about 5000 indigenous people and some representatives of the Colombian media.

Feliciano began the initial part of his speech by making a number of very strong points which began with "It is not true that....". Indigenous peoples are not terrorists, the mobilization (Minga) is not controlled or run in coordination with FARC, land is not the main nor the only issue, indigenous peoples have not negotiated, nor reached an agreement with the Colombian Government, contrary to what was falsely stated by the Ministers of Justice and the Interior, Agriculture and Social Welfare, Indigenous peoples did not attack the Colombian armed forces and were instead mercilessly and brutally attacked with live ammunition which have left 132 wounded, one dead and one dying, the Government has not fulfilled its obligations with indigenous peoples and has made no effort to keep its promises.

Feliciano then proceeded to describe the Government´s and media behaviour towards the mobilization."We invited the President to a dialogue and he responded with a military assault." Feliciano described the mediatic manipulations, the lies fabricated by the commander of the Police, President Uribe, the head of the Secret Service and several Ministers.

Beyond recent events, Mr. Valencia explained how indigenous peoples are being exterminated not only through a permanent dirty war, military offensives and crossfire, but also through policies of extermination, exploitation and exclusion that have become systematic under the current administration in order to deliver the country´s wealth to transnational corporate interests. This account lead to the indictment: "We don´t have a Government in Colombia".Consequently, the Minga convenes the primary constituent assembly. The people of Colombia. All Colombians. Not to follow an indigenous agenda but to weave a collective agenda, a new country from our collective demands and pain.Feliciano proceeded to outline the five point agenda:

1. No to the economic model and the FTA´s with the US, Canada and Europe;
2. A removal of the legislation that empoverishes peoples, destroys and denies rights and freedoms, delivers the wealth of the country to corporate interests and has not gone through consultation with those affected;
3. No more war and terror as the main Government policy.
4. Respect and application of international and national agreements and establishment of the conditions that will allow the people to construct a new, possible and necessary country.
5. A proposal not for indigenous peoples, but from them, to construct jointly a new society.

The authorities announced a march towards the city of Cali, which will leave from La María next Tuesday. Other social movements and organizations have announced that they will join and mobilize and the whole country is invited to mobilize and gather in Cali.The words have been stated and now the talk will be walked until a new reality gets on the way, from a country with owners and no peoples, to a country of the peoples without owners.

Today, we heard one of the wisest and clearest statements in recent Colombian history. From being marginalized and defamed as terrorists, from being wounded and murdered like rats, from being lied about and abused, from being excluded, indigenous peoples have stood back and shown their wisdom and dignity taking on their leadership as masters of wisdom for the construction of a new world on this territory of Mother earth now known as Colombia.

The audio recording will be posted on http://www.nasaacin.org/ . Now, tired, saddenned by the wounded and dead who will lead the march, indigenous peoples are standing strong to convene the transformation of Colombia.

A major struggle for which they request the solidarity and support of international observers.Visit http://www.nasaacin.org/ for more details.

Latest Press Release From ACIN on Indigenous Mobilization

By 12 noon Sunday, one week into the Popular Mobilization in Cauca and the rest of the country, ACIN will hold a news conference to refute the claims of the government of Alvaro Uribe that an accord has been reached to put an end to the ongoing protests. Although they have pulled their blockade of the Pan American Highway, the indigenous movement insists that the mobilization will continue. They are denouncing the false representations of the protest in the major Colombian news media. Here is their latest press release, in Spanish. We will have more to follow shortly.I notice that the ACIN website (http://www.nasaacin.org/) is currently not functioning. Check out http://mamaradio.blogspot.com/2008/10/latest-press-release-from-acin-in_19.html for the full press release.

Latest Press Release From ACIN on Indigenous Mobilization

By 12 noon Sunday, one week into the Popular Mobilization in Cauca and the rest of the country, ACIN will hold a news conference to refute the claims of the government of Alvaro Uribe that an accord has been reached to put an end to the ongoing protests. Although they have pulled their blockade of the Pan American Highway, the indigenous movement insists that the mobilization will continue. They are denouncing the false representations of the protest in the major Colombian news media. Here is their latest press release, in Spanish. We will have more to follow shortly.I notice that the ACIN website (http://www.nasaacin.org) is currently not functioning. Check out http://mamaradio.blogspot.com/2008/10/latest-press-release-from-acin-in_19.html for the full press release.

No More Terror and Avarice: We propose a new path for the people for a new country

October 16, 2008Author: Minga of the PeopleWhat we are proposing today was already presented to the public in September 2004, when we organized the historic First Indigenous and Popular Congress. They are five basic points that cover many other issues. We have listened with considerable attention to the voices of many diverse sectors within Colombia and throughout the world. We have clearly put forward what it is that hurts us, and have compiled the accumulated pain of many peoples and processes. We want to be practical and concrete.For full translated text, visit:http://mamaradio.blogspot.com/2008/10/official-proposal-of-indigenous-and.html