29 September 2004
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html

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[Federal Register: September 29, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 188)]
[Notices]
[Page 58211]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29se04-96]

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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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