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THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2001

Despite refusing to help Colombia negotiate with rebel groups that have recruited Indians and destroyed Indian villages, the Bush administration has voiced objections about President Andrés Pastrana's handling of them.

State Department officials say they will discuss their objections on a trip to Colombia next week. They are concerned that negotiations with the National Liberation Army, the second largest, has stopped.

Officials are also worried about Pastrana's concessions to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the largest group. The FARC basically controls an large acreage of land in the country.

The State Department has blamed FARC for the murders of three American Indian activists. No one has ever been brought to justice for the deaths of of Terence Freitas, Lahe'ena'e Gay, and Ingrid Washinawatok.

Rebel groups are also blamed for destroying Indian villages, killing residents and forcing young Indians into joining them.

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Colombian Deal With Rebels Is Vexing U.S (The New York Times 8/23)
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