U.S. Senator blocks aid to Colombian military (Leahy)

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/news/nation/17098624.htm

U.S. Senator blocks aid to Colombian military
By Pablo Bachelet
McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON - A powerful U.S. senator placed a hold on $55 million in aid to Colombian security forces because of alleged links with paramilitary death squads, three rights organizations said Wednesday.

The State Department freed the funds earlier this month after certifying that Colombia had made sufficient advances on human rights. Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Vermont Democrat who chairs the State, Foreign Operations subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, wants the State Department to explain the certification more, his office said.

Leahy placed a similar hold for about a month in 2006. But this action comes at an especially difficult time for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who is struggling to convince Congress to approve a free trade agreement with the United States.

U.S. labor organizations bitterly oppose the trade deal, citing the slaying of union leaders in the South American nation, and rights groups say the United States is giving too much money for the Colombian armed forces and too little for social and economic programs.

David Carle, Leahy's spokesman, said the hold is pending "a discussion with the State Department on the content of the certification material" and to discuss news reports over alleged links between the head of the Colombian armed forces and paramilitary units.

Amnesty International USA, Human Rights Watch and the Washington Office on Latin America praised the hold in a joint statement.

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the foreign policy of liberals wth the fascists. We must win in 08.

:applause: