Madam, - Francisco Santos, vice-president of Colombia writes with blatant irony of his country's struggle against terrorism (Opinion, August 11th). Farc and other groups have, as Mr Santos points out, been responsible for much bloodshed and chaos in the region for many years. The title of his piece, "People of Colombia demand justice be done", would equally befit an Amnesty International campaign on the litany of crimes committed by his government in the same conflict.
Amnesty's annual reports on Colombia over the past few years document a campaign of intimidation and violence waged against trade unionists and human rights defenders by government security forces and their paramilitary allies. The situation has been worst in the oil-rich region of Aracua. "As part of their attempts to 'cleanse' Aracua of any perceived threat to oil interests, the military and their paramilitary allies have sought to keep the population under control by instilling fear, through massacres, 'disappearances', torture and mass detentions", according to an Amnesty bulletin from May 2004.
Colombia is the third largest recipient of US military aid in the world. This arrangement, Amnesty states, has led to "one clear and tragic result - a greater targeting of the civilian population". Many commentators have rightly expressed outrage at the alleged involvement of the 'Colombia Three' in terrorist training of Farc guerillas. If we are to be consistent in applying principles of justice, however, should we not also call the Colombian government to trial? - Yours etc,
LIAM QUAIDE,
North Great
Georges Street,
Dublin 1.
A chara, - Imagine the scenario. A group of three Colombians arrive in Ireland on false passports. While here, they allegedly assist in the training of an organisation which aims to overthrow by terrorist means the institutions of the State and is also heavily involved in the supply of illegal drugs. The three skip the country and return to Colombia.
One could be certain that if the organisation in question here as a loyalist paramilitary one involved in drug-trafficking, Sinn Féin would be to the fore in demanding action. There would be a public outcry over how foreigners could get into the country on false passports. Colombia would be described by certain sections of the media and public commentators as "a haven for terrorists".
While I have grave misgivings about Colombia's human rights record and its judicial system (as I have about Sinn Féin's human rights record and "judicial system"), Ireland cannot be seen to turn a blind eye when there is a serious question about our international reputation in fighting terrorism and the international narcotics trade. - Is mise,
MALCOLM BYRNE,
The Chase,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.
Madam, - I am writing to express my despair at the use of the term "Colombia Three" in these pages. Inverted commas or not, it is a propaganda term used by supporters of the three men in an attempt to associate in the minds of the public their case with miscarriages of justice against the Birmingham Six, Guildford Four and Maguire Seven.
This is a profound insult to those innocent people who had no connection with Sinn Féin or the IRA and served time in British jails for acts of barbarism and terrorism committed by IRA bomb-makers who were content to allow innocent people take the responsibility and blame for their actions.
In contrast, these three men have confirmed and confessed links with Sinn Féin. They were convicted of terrorist offences in a country that has no quarrel with Ireland. Guilty or innocent, these men travelled on false passports to spend weeks in the Colombia jungle communing with a left-wing narco-terrorist organisation which is involved in the murder of civilians, destruction of churches, abduction of presidential candidate and Green Party activist Ingrid Betancourt and the smuggling of cocaine out of Colombia to places such as Ireland, where it exacts a terrible toll of suffering on our communities.
Perhaps you could consider using the term "Colombia fugitives" as the national broadcaster does. Alternatively, might I suggest "Colombia criminals"? - Yours, etc,
LEO VARADKAR,
Rosehaven,
Carpenterstown,
Dublin 15.