[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 58211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21795]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4842]


Determination Related to Colombian Armed Forces Under Section 563 
of Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs 
Appropriations Act, Division D, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004, 
(Pub. L. 108-199)

    Pursuant to the authority vested in me as Secretary of State, 
including under section 563 of the Foreign Operations, Export 
Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, Division D, 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004, (Pub. L. 108-199), I hereby 
determine and certify, in accordance with the conditions contained in 
section 563(a)(2), that: (A) The Commander General of the Colombian 
Armed Forces is suspending from the Armed Forces those members, of 
whatever rank who, according to the Minister of Defense or the 
Procuraduria General de la Nacion, have been credibly alleged to have 
committed gross violations of human rights, including extra-judicial 
killings, or to have aided or abetted paramilitary organizations; (B) 
the Colombian Government is vigorously investigating and prosecuting 
those members of the Colombian Armed Forces, of whatever rank, who have 
been credibly alleged to have committed gross violations of human 
rights, including extra-judicial killings, or to have aided or abetted 
paramilitary organizations, and is promptly punishing those members of 
the Colombian Armed Forces found to have committed such violations of 
human rights or to have aided or abetted paramilitary organizations; 
(C) the Colombian Armed Forces have made substantial progress in 
cooperating with civilian prosecutors and judicial authorities in such 
cases (including providing requested information, such as the identity 
of persons suspended from the Armed Forces and the nature and cause of 
the suspension, and access to witnesses, relevant military documents, 
and other requested information); (D) the Colombian Armed Forces have 
made substantial progress in severing links (including denying access 
to military intelligence, vehicles, and other equipment or supplies, 
and ceasing other forms of active or tacit cooperation) at the command, 
battalion, and brigade level, with paramilitary organizations, 
especially in regions where these organizations have a significant 
presence; (E) the Colombian Armed Forces are dismantling paramilitary 
leadership and financial networks by arresting commanders and financial 
backers, especially in regions where these networks have a significant 
presence.
    The Department of State has consulted with internationally 
recognized human rights organizations regarding the Colombian Armed 
Forces' progress in meeting the conditions contained in section 
563(a)(2), as required in section 563(c).
    This Determination shall be published in the Federal Register and 
copies shall be transmitted to the appropriate committees of Congress.

Colin L. Powell,
Secretary of State, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-21795 Filed 9-28-04; 8:45 am]
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