,,Interference"against the United States is ,,welcomed"
BERLIN/BOGOTA (Own report) The German parliament has approved an 18-point guide with detailed stipulations concerning Colombia's domestic policies. Into the South American state, which is under the immediate sphere of influence of the United States, a ,,high ranking representative of the European Union"will be dispatched for the conflict in Colombia; the goal is Berlin's greater influence over the negotiations between Colombia's government and the country's rebel organizations. The German plans are in direct contradiction to US policies concerning Colombia.
At the moment the Colombian government, pressured by the USA with the fiercely disputed ,,Plan Colombia", is taking actions against rebel organizations and coca cultivation. The plan provides for massive ,,military aid"by the United States and, according to the views of critics, also serves to suppress local resistance ( ,,counterinsurgency operation") against the Free Trade Association of the Americas (FTAA) should the occasion arise. Berlin, now explicitly espouses criticism of the ,,Plan Colombia"in order to reinforce the German-European position in Colombia. 1)
Instructions
Parliament has claimed that this is in accord with the desires of Bogota which hopes to escape the influence of the United States with strengthened ties with Europe. Colombia's government and its opposition had ,,explicitly requested"a greater international involvement - and would ,,welcome without reservation"European interference. In fact, a SPD parliamentarian declared, Colombia would not view it as ,,interference in domestic affairs". Besides detailed instructions concerning Colombia's drug policy, the guide approved by the German parliament also contains the stipulation that Colombia's authorities must continue their cooperation with the German police. Claudia Roth, the German ,,representative in charge of human rights"will arrive in Colombia soon in order ,,to discuss (...) the current human rights situation".
Profits
During past years, numerous German enterprises have increased their economic activities in Colombia, because it is considered an attractive economic location due to its ,,reliable economic and legal framework". Colombia's congress recently concluded infrastructure projects totaling 30 billion dollars; these include projects (such as water system development) with which German enterprises hope to earn large profits.
1) see also earlier article Hold the thief!
Sources:
Raul Zelik: Der Plan Colombia. Anti-Drogendiskurse und US-Hegemonialpolitik in der Andenregion, in: Prokla 124 (2001)
Laenderinfo-Spezial: Kolumbien; www.ixpos.de
Beschlussempfehlung und Bericht des Auswaertigen Ausschusses: Wiederbelebung des Friedensprozesses in Kolumbien; Bundestags-Drucksache 15/1136, 04.06.2003
Claudia Roth reist nach Guatemala, Honduras und Kolumbien; Pressemitteilung des Auswaertigen Amtes 26.09.2003