Former President to Be Investigated in Colombia Spying Case

[Judi Lynn]

Former President to Be Investigated in Colombia Spying Case
Caracas,
Friday
October 8,2010

BOGOTA – Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said he is putting himself at the disposal of Congress and the Supreme Court so they can investigate him in connection with an illegal wiretapping scandal.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Uribe acknowledged his “legal and political responsibility” for the conduct of his former chief of staff, Bernardo Moreno, whom the Inspector General’s Office earlier this week barred from public office for his role in the spying. The conservative former head of state said Moreno went through the DAS security service concerning allegations of infiltration by drug traffickers in matters involving certain judges but that he never suggested any “illegal activities.” Uribe added that it has been his “custom to assume responsibility in public and private life and this occasion cannot be an exception” and that therefore he is putting himself “at the disposal of Congress and the Supreme Court.”

On Monday, the IG’s office meted out sanctions against nine former officials for illegal wiretapping of Supreme Court justices, opposition politicians, human rights activists and journalists.

Moreno was barred from carrying out public duties for 18 years for “exceeding his duties,” while former DAS directors Jorge Noguera and Maria del Pilar Hurtado were prohibited from involvement in public service for 20 years and 18 years, respectively. Another former DAS director, Andres Peñate, was barred from holding public office for eight months. Those three ex-officials were at the helm of DAS during Uribe’s two terms in office from 2002-2006 and 2006-2010.

Uribe’s remarks came hours after political leaders and other targets of the illegal spying called for a public statement from the former president.

Former presidential candidate Gustavo Petro, one of the targets of the eavesdropping, told Caracol Radio that the former DAS directors must reveal which government official ordered the illegal intercepts.

More:
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=370253&CategoryId=12393

[Peace Patriot]

1. LOL! He knows he's got CIA (not to mention Jesuit) protection!

"...Uribe said he is putting himself at the disposal of Congress and the Supreme Court...".

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This slime ain't never gonna pay for his many crimes. You heard it here first. He's a "made man"--like Bush, Cheney, Rumfeld & brethren. The "old CIA" (Daddy Bush, Leon Panetta) are back in charge and impunity for the principles of the Bush Junta is one of their missions. The only question was how far down the line the impunity would go--and, in the case of Latin America, would it include tools like Uribe? It's clear now that it does--so Uribe can "put himself" in the garbage disposal all day long and he will come out with not so much as a scrape. He has total confidence in his protectors' ability to take care of any prosecutor or judge who tries to take the proceedings seriously.

His academic sinecure at Georgetown was the chief clue. If the Jesuits launder him, we can be sure that there is A LOT at stake (the entirety of the Colombian cocaine trade, probably--plus much more). His appointment by Obama/Clinton to a prestigious international legal committee (investigating Israel's firing on aid boats) was clue no. 2. This guy knows too much to ever be in peril of prosecution. And he is more than a tool. He is "a player."

It's pretty disgusting to realize how much our "real" government resembles an ordinary crime mob. But it's also important to understand the magnitude of our problem, as the citizens of a once great democracy--a democracy that could elect an FDR, a democracy that could reform itself, the democracy that created the model for other democracies. Progressive change first of all requires this broader vision (how big is the problem? how does it work? what are its mechanisms?). It requires a sense of reality. Latin America is a good lens through which to "see" the reality here. Who does the U.S. support in Latin America? The worst of the worst--fascists, murderers, torturers, war profiteer freeloaders, "big coke." Who does the U.S. oppose? The genuine democracies, where the poor majority is at last achieving a voice and rightful political power. No matter who is purportedly in charge here, this is the policy--a policy that is stuck in war mode--a war against the poor--and is drenched in bloody corruption. How to change this? Well, you know my answer: start with the 'TRADE SECRET' voting machines!