Amnisty for rebels??

[Michael B]

Today the Colombian army announced that they would pay 1 million pesos (about $450US) to any rebel who surrenders and turns in his/her weapons. Anyone who surrenders is promissed his/her personal safety, "legal guarentees" and help/protection for his/her family.

In other news, authorities in Barranquilla announced that they have in custody two suspects (a man and a woman, both FARC) who they beleive are responsible for the assination attempt on presidential candidate Uribe.

[Pete E]

... in response to Amnisty for rebels??, posted by Michael B on Apr 20, 2002

The pay off might work.They would have to get the rebels away from where the other rebels who don't quit are to really do anything like guaranteeing thier safety.
What troubles me is how much money the rebels have to spend.They can be doing their own little program of pay for recruits and bribing police,army and government officials,or threatening them.
The rebels numbers are relatively small,but their financial clout is huge.Colombia needs to shut down their source of income,which is in line with US objectives.
Hopefully Uribe will live to be elected and really go after them,at which point the takers for the $450 could go way up.
I like Bill Bennetts idea of bombing the drug labs.I would add one extra.Drop pamplets at 4.00 PM that if you don't want to die get the hell away from here,bomb at midnight.
Yes the drug soldiers would escape,but so would the peasants who work for them.And 8 hours wouldn't let them move much.Maybe cut it down to 2 hours.

Pete