CPTnet
March 11, 2003
COLOMBIA: E-mailing the Paramilitary

Last year in Barrancabermeja, Colombia, Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT)
heard about a possible death threat against CPT from a local paramilitary
group. On February 19, 2003, the AUC BCB (the unit of the illegal
paramilitary group in control in the Barranca area) released a letter
addressed to the nation and the citizens of Barranca, which included their
email address. Below is an excerpt from that letter, followed by CPT's
response.

The BCB letter:

We affirm before the Colombian nation and the international community, our
honest and intractable decision to CEASE ALL HOSTILITIES. Therefore:

The assertion that we have targeted [various human rights groups and non
governmental organizations in Barranca, including CPT] as military
objectives is perverse, opportunistic and demagogical. Whatever mission in
defense of human rights that these groups have will be treated with absolute
respect on the part of
the Campesino Self-Defense Groups of the Bloque Central Bolivar. We will
honor our word before the nation.

The CPT Colombia team response (sent March 1):

Thank you very much for your reassuring letter of 19 February, making it
clear that our organization and other organizations working for peace,
justice, and understanding are not being targeted as a military objective.
We perceive that your message is sincere.

As you know, our main purpose is to express our deep Christian faith that
kind words, love, and an attitude of fairness and respect will go much
further toward establishing a lasting peace than will arms, hostilities,
power, and killing those who may disagree with us.

In that spirit, on Tuesday, February 25, we posted on the Op