DATE=05/03/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09860

TITLE=EDITORIAL: FARC TERRORISTS ARE INDICTED

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: The United States is committed to fighting terrorism around the world. This week, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft announced murder charges against Colombia's leading terrorist group, known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. Six of its members have been indicted for the killing of three Americans working with an Indian tribe in 1999. Mr. Ashcroft said these charges are "a step toward ridding our hemisphere of the narcoterrorism that threatens our lives, our freedom, and our human dignity."

The U.S. has asked the Colombian government to extradite the six indicted FARC members when they are apprehended. Among those charged is German Briceno Suarez, also known as Granobles. He commands FARC forces in the eastern Colombian state of Arauca, where the three Americans were killed. German Briceno's brother, Jorge, is the overall FARC military commander. Two other FARC members wanted by the U.S. are Gustavo Bocota Aguablanca and Nelson Vargas Rueda. Three others are known only by aliases: Jeronimo, Dumar and El Marrano.

Both the U.S. and Colombia have designated FARC a terrorist organization. FARC is believed to be responsible for the 1993 disappearance and presumed death of three American missionaries in the Colombian jungle. Between 1993 and 1999, a number of U.S. citizens were kidnapped by the FARC and eventually released. As the FARC has stepped up its war against the Colombian government, it has increased its use of terror tactics against civilians, blowing up oil pipelines and placing car bombs in urban areas.

It is clear that the narcotics trade is closely tied with terrorist movements. In Colombia, the FARC is deeply involved in the drug trade. Recently, Attorney General Ashcroft announced the indictment of three other FARC members for conspiracy to deliver planeloads of cocaine into the U.S.

As Attorney General Ashcroft made clear -- and as the FARC should understand -- the United States will seek justice when its citizens are harmed or killed.

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.