Bill Delahunt: “this is an amendment that does have teeth. Historically, it is no secret. The military in Colombia has had an abysmal…”

“this is an amendment that does have teeth. Historically, it is no secret. The military in Colombia has had an abysmal human rights record. It has been appalling. Until recently, the majority of human rights abuses, better than 50 percent were perpetrated against the civilian population by the Colombian military. But it would be unfair, and it would not reflect the current reality in Colombia if we did not acknowledge the significant progress that has been made under the leadership of President Pastrana and the new head of the Colombian armed forces, General Topeos. According to our own State Department records, from 1994 to 1998, the percentage of human rights abuses directly attributable to the military declined from better than 50 percent down to 3 percent. President Pastrana and General Topeos correctly point out the recent dismissal of seven generals, two of whom are under indictment, and the referral of three colonels to the civilian courts for prosecution for human rights violations as evidence that things are changing. This is nothing less than astounding, given the historical record. But let us be clear. I am not suggesting in any way that we or the Colombian government should be satisfied. There is still a long road ahead of us, particularly in light of recent human rights reports from well-respected human rights organizations asserting continuing links between the Colombian military and the paramilitaries. We have to go further, much further.”