this could change everything

[jim c]

Any one want to rent my apartment in Cali

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - The U.S Embassy is investigating a report that a rebel commander has ordered his forces to attack U.S. citizens in Colombia.

The alleged threats were contained in the transcript of purported two-way radio conversations made between rebels and intercepted by police.

The authenticity of the comments could not be independently verified and the rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, had no comment Tuesday.

A written transcript of them was released on Channel One news late Monday. A copy was obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday. The actual recording was not aired.

The U.S. Embassy in Colombia was investigating the threat.

The embassy first needs to confirm the validity of the transcript, said a U.S. official speaking on condition of customary anonymity.

``But we take all threats seriously - security is a great concern here,'' the official said.

The transcript reads: ``We must find where the gringos are, because they have all declared war on us,'' a voice identified by police as FARC military commander Jorge Briceno says, allegedly to a fellow rebel. ``You all are obligated to fight them as well.''

The FARC accuses the United States of meddling in Colombia's 38-year civil war by giving the government millions of dollars in military aid.

The radio interceptions also appear to confirm the FARC's role in an Aug. 7 attack during the inauguration of President Alvaro Uribe, when mortars showered down on the capital and killed 21 people.

``They shot off bombs . . . at the (presidential) palace, but didn't achieve the objective,'' said Briceno. ``We must continue.'' employees in efforts to get money from them.

Also Tuesday, authorities intercepted a bomb hidden in a book that was to be delivered to the office of Colombian Attorney General Luis Camilo Osorio, according to a statement from Osorio's office. Security officials detected explosives in the package and were able to deactivate it without opening it. Authorities did not immediately blame any of Colombia's various armed groups.

In Medellin, Colombia's second largest city, a police bomb technician was seriously wounded when he tried to deactivate a small explosive planted near a police station Tuesday. And at least eight people returning from a popular bathing spot in Antioquia state were kidnapped, officials said Tuesday. Two were later released.

[Michael B]

... in response to this could change everything, posted by jim c on Aug 20, 2002

Notimex
20 de Agosto del 2002

BOGOTA - El jefe militar de las guerrilleras Fuerzas
Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), Jorge
Briceño, ordenó perseguir, combatir y extorsionar a
estadounidenses residentes en Colombia, según el
informativo de televisión Noticias Uno.
     The military chief of the guerrilas Revolucionary  Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Jorge Briceno, ordered to persue, combat and extort US citizens residing in Colombia, according to information from television "News One".

Obligados a combatirlos
     We are obligated to fight them.

El noticiero, que se basó en comunicaciones interceptadas por la Policía colombiana, también aseveró que el grupo guerrillero intentó asesinar al presidente Alvaro Uribe el pasado 7 de agosto, mientras asumía el poder en la sede del Congreso.
     The news report, which is based on communications intercepted by the Colombian Police, also asserted that the guerrilla group intended to assinate President Alvaro Uribe last August 7th, while he was assuming power in the Congress building.

De acuerdo con el telenoticiero, las FARC decidieron
perseguir a los ciudadanos estadounidenses y las empresas con intereses en Colombia "porque Estados Unidos le ha declarado la guerra" a esa insurgencia.
    According to the television news report, the FARC decided to persue US citizens and US business with interests in Colombia "Because the United States has declared war" against this insurgency.

Briceño, conocido con el alias de "Mono Jojoy" y considerado el jefe de la "línea dura" de las FARC, afirmó en una de las grabaciones que "se debe incrementar la ubicación de los "gringos" donde quiera que estén, porque todos nos han declarado la guerra".
     Briceno, known by the alias "Mono Jojoy" ("Jojo the Monkey", is my best guess) and considered the chief of the FARC "hard liners" afirmed in the recordings that "we must increase the presence (presure?) on the gringos, whereever they may be, because all of them have declared war on us.

"El que busca encuentra y ustedes están obligados a combatirlos también", advirtió "Jojoy" por radioteléfono
a sus interlocutores, al parecer miembros de las columnas urbanas de esa organización subversiva.
  "He who seeks finds, and all of you are obligated to fight them also", asserted Jojoy via radio telephone to the other participants in the conversation, who appear to be members of the urban columns of this subservise organization.

El líder insurgente indicó que las FARC cobraría un "impuesto" o "contribución revolucionaria" a los
estadounidenses que se encuentran en el país, equivalente al 10 por ciento de su patrimonio.
    The insurgent leader indicated that FARC is going to charge a "tax" or "contributation to the revolucion" to US citizens that they find in the country, equivlent to 10 percent of their net worth.

Sobre el fallido ataque a Uribe, en una de las conversaciones presentadas por el telenoticiero se
escucha a Briceño dando órdenes pocas horas antes de que
se realizaran varios atentados el 7 de agosto en Bogotá,
mientras se realizaba la toma de mando.
    Concerning the failed attck against Uribe, in one of the afore mentioned radio telephone conversations Briceno is heard giving orders some few hours before the beginning of varios events the 7th of August in Bogota, while control was being transfered (i.e. the inuagration was taking place)  

Maybe you can translate it better, if you want to try, here's the link:

http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml;jsessioni
d=OO4KUKVVOSC14CQJAA3SFFAKBEADQIV0?cid=140846

[pack]

... in response to News article, Univision ( my translation..., posted by Michael B on Aug 21, 2002

doesnt sound to good. enough to make someone reconsider traveling to colombia at this time.

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: News article, Univision ( my transla..., posted by pack on Aug 21, 2002

No, it doesn't. I've got a friend down there right now. Hope he gets back alright.

I like Pete's idea about buying some real estate, not to speculate on, but buying a little house in say a strada 4 barrio for my retirement might be a good idea.

[Hoda]

... in response to Re: Re: News article, Univision ( my tra..., posted by Michael B on Aug 21, 2002


but, I'm concerned about the cost & quality of health care in Colombia. Also, one needs to keep in mind, how long per year you can "LEGALLY" stay in Colombia. PLUS... will part of your retirement money be taxable by Colombia. Moving down to Cali after retirement or sooner, is an idea me & Stivalis have been kicking around alittle bit....

But first things, FIRST!!!! We live here, FIRST...lol!!!

[Pete E]

... in response to Good idea....., posted by Hoda on Aug 21, 2002

Howard,
You can get a pensioner(or something like that) visa.I think you have to show $12,000 a year in independent income.
But first they need to do the same solution as with Al Ciada,shoot a bunch of crazies.We should give them all the bullets they need.
A minor revision of a famous saying by Andrew Jackson.The only good FARC is a dead FARC.(Or maybe a retired one,which will be about 90% when the shooting starts)Dito for islamic terrorist.So what is everybody waiting for?Start shooting the f----rs.
I guess Uribe is getting prepared.I don't think he is going to whimp outlike his predecesor.

Pete

[pack]

... in response to Re: Re: News article, Univision ( my tra..., posted by Michael B on Aug 21, 2002

yea not a bad idea..buy now prices low, move in after the war.

[Pete E]

... in response to this could change everything, posted by jim c on Aug 20, 2002

Jim,
Yes,this could be trouble,but these idiots don't understand how counterproductive it could be.Attacking or kidnapping americans is not going to get the US to help Colombia less,but a whole lot more.I think it should be the top priority of the US in this hemisphere helping Colombia get rid of the rebels.
But since the rebels don't stand a chance in a normal fight they will probably get more in to terrorism as an alternative.
I hope Uribe goes right after them and wipes them out.If I have to stay out of Colombia for a couple years while they are doing it its OK with me.Actually it should take less than a year after Colombia gets its army up to speed.Uribe raised taxes to do this.6 months getting preparerd,wipe them out in 6 months.Enough of this BS of 17,000 people causing so much trouble.Yeah I know they are hard to fight ion an urban area,but their leaders are off in the countryside.Get them and the whole thing will fold.
This could be a great investment oportunity.Buy Real estate in Colombia when the fighting starts,sell it when it has ended and the rebels out of commision,or keep it.If,just if,Colombia has the guts to get the job done.
One of my friends is going  Saturday,first time.He asked me if I thought it was safe.I said yes if you are carefull.I hope he isn't the first victim.

Pete

[Wayne1]

... in response to this could change everything, posted by jim c on Aug 20, 2002

It's interesting.  My wife and I were just today discussing how more involvement by the US could effect safety for gringos in Colombia.

We were both speculating that the FARC could start taking it out on Americans.

Of course this is going to happen because they are the ultimate cowards.  They love to attack unarmed low risk victims.

We heard that the US is actually going to help militarily, and take off the gloves.  It would be great to see some of our Navy Seals kill some of these cowards before they all take off their fatigues and slip back into society.

There isn't going to be much of a fight unless we shoot them in the back while they are running away.

Wayne

[lex]

... in response to Re: this could change everything, posted by Wayne1 on Aug 21, 2002

sss