The Head of State alerted criminals that security is not an option for Colombians, is mandatory, and leave violence, drug trafficking and kidnapping as well as negotiating with good faith and acting according with the Law are not “a possibility subjected to the judgments and whims of terrorists”, are a claim from the people

Bogota, July 20 (SP). President Álvaro Uribe Vélez reiterated that the notification for terrorism to leave its practices is a demand from the Colombian people, and said that “terrorism must know that we are not going to be tricked with false nationalisms, inadmissible in this era of international crime’.

The Leader pointed this during his speech at the opening act of the Congress of the Republic, in which he emphasized that “criminals are making terrorism and blood in Colombia, and they try to do politics in foreign countries. They murder and they intend to interfere with foreign relations of the country”.

The Head of State alerted criminals that security is not an option for Colombians, is mandatory, and leave violence, drug trafficking and kidnapping as well as negotiating with good faith and acting according with the Law are not “a possibility subjected to the judgments and whims of terrorists, but the claim of the people”.

He reiterated that to serve Colombia is an “inalienable determination”, in the search for welfare and progress of the new generations and is not a “political calculation task”

About the Agreement with the United States

In his speech, President Uribe also spoke about the Agreement with the United States, and said that it will be ruled by principles as Sovereign Equality, Territorial Integrity and No intervention on Internal Affairs of other States.

He pointed that the agreement is framed in bilateral agreements with that country and in conventions signed by both countries. He also highlighted that its goal is the fight against illegal drugs, transnational organized crime, terrorism and weapon proliferation.

He said that the agreement will be develop, for each activity, with the authorization of the Colombian Government and by mutual consent. 

For its performance, he added, the United States will have permission for unlimited access and use of Colombian military bases. “This is meant to strengthen Colombian military bases, not to open North American bases”, he underlined.

As for the respect for the national jurisdiction principles on militaries and sovereignty, he pointed that they are analyzing a procedure “so immunity won’t be impunity” 

He said that the Agreement is to regain the right of Colombians to live in peace, and highlighted that the United States has helped in a practical and respectful way with Plan Colombia.