[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32627-32628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8728]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5434]


Determination and Certification Related to Colombian Armed Forces 
Under Section 556 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and 
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005 (Division D, Pub. L. 108-447)

    Pursuant to the authority vested in me as Secretary of State, 
including under section 556 of the Foreign Operations, Export 
Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005 (Division D, 
Pub. L. 108-447 ``the Act''), I hereby determine and certify that the 
Colombian Armed Forces are, in accordance with the conditions contained 
in section 556(a)(3) of the Act, continuing to meet the conditions 
contained in (A) through (E) below and are conducting vigorous 
operations to restore government authority and respect for human rights 
in areas under the effective control of paramilitary and guerilla 
organizations.
    The above-mentioned conditions are that: (A) The Commander General 
of the

[[Page 32628]]

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 Government is 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 periodically consulted with 
internationally recognized human rights organizations regarding the 
Colombian Armed Forces' progress in meeting the abovementioned 
conditions, as provided in section 556(c) of the Act.
    This Determination shall be published in the Federal Register and 
copies shall be transmitted to the appropriate committees of Congress.

    Dated: May 26, 2006.
Condoleezza Rice,
Secretary of State.
 [FR Doc. E6-8728 Filed 6-5-06; 8:45 am]
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