[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 70 (Thursday, April 12, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 18508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6955]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5755]


Determination and Certification Related to Colombian Armed Forces 
Under Section 556 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and 
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006 (Division D, Pub. L. 109-102)

    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, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-
102 ``the Act''), I hereby determine and certify that the Colombian 
Armed Forces are meeting the conditions contained in Sections 556(a)(2) 
and 556(a)(3) of the Act.
    The above-mentioned conditions are 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 government is dismantling paramilitary leadership and 
financial networks by arresting commanders and financial backers, 
especially in regions where these networks have a significant presence; 
and (F) The Colombian government is taking effective steps to ensure 
that the Colombian Armed Forces are not violating the land and property 
rights of Colombia's indigenous communities. A final condition, 
described in Section 556(a)(3), is that the Colombian Armed Forces 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 Department of State has periodically consulted with 
internationally recognized human rights organizations regarding the 
Colombian Armed Forces' progress in meeting the above-mentioned 
conditions, as provided in Section 556(c) of the Act.
    This Determination and Certification shall be published in the 
Federal Register and copies shall be transmitted to the appropriate 
committees of Congress.

    Dated: April 4, 2007.
Condoleezza Rice,
Secretary of State, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E7-6955 Filed 4-11-07; 8:45 am]
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