Attacks on Towns "Colombia
wakes up every morning to news of bloodshed caused by violent individuals
who seem to understand no language other than that of weapons. When we witness
their continual attacks against Colombian towns, against the civilian population
and against the Police, we cannot but be astonished at their claim that
they are fighting on behalf of the people...
No words exist that can adequately express our condemnation of the horrific, barbaric acts committed by the guerrillas against police officers and civilians in towns such as Algeciras, Santa María, Tello, Vegalarga, Colombia, Roncesvalles, Alpujarra and Arboleda. No ideology can justify such acts of cruelty towards their compatriots. An attack carried out by a 200-strong armed contingent on a police station staffed by a few officers can hardly be described as part of a war. That is not warfare! That is sadism! In the face of the tragedy of those who have lost everything and are forced to start again, the whole of Colombia rises up and demands immediate respect, not just for the rules of International Humanitarian Law, but also for the most basic rules of human coexistence... As I said to the nation on 20 July, we shall determinedly confront the
insurgents and the vigilante groups who persist in using violence. I say
it again today here in Neiva: With the help of Colombia’s armed forces,
the strongest action will be taken against those who are set on destroying
the country!"
Andrés Pastrana,Presidente
Neiva, 1st August 2000 |
