Colombia
Ramiro Vargas is a member of the Central Command of the Colombian Army of National Liberation (ELN), the second largest of the countrys resistance groups, and with the organisations International Delegation. During his visit to Brussels in April, 2000, Spectre spoke to him about the peace process, drug trafficking, American intervention, and the general situation in his country.
What are the roots of the current armed conflict?
The social and economic conflict in Colombia has at its base continuing inequalities which are in turn based on unjust structures of land ownership backed by a system of state terrorism. An elite class prevents the opening up of democratic space, space for the expression of any political opinions which happen to be contrary to the wishes of the US.
Are there any real current prospects for a lasting, just peace?
The Colombian people have demanded peace. In response we presented proposals which look for a possible exit from the conflict. Any idea of peace in Colombia invariably provokes scepticism, because the ultra-right paramilitaries are dedicated to halting any advance towards a political solution, towards social justice and peace. they want a solution to the military conflict, but they are not interested in finding a solution to the social conflict.
Do you think that President Pastramas peace initiative is genuine?
With the FARC (the biggest of the national resistance movements) the peace process has begun, notably through disengagement in certain zones, but there is also pressure on the government from the extreme right. This means that there are many inconsistencies, and its certainly not what we hoped for at the beginning of the process. With the ELN the process has not got off the ground. There are two main reasons why it isnt working. We have proposed a National Convention and the government wont accept this. They do not want the participation of social movements in any discussion of how we can achieve a lasting peace, as they argue that the government itself represents the whole of the people is therefore the only body that can legitimately negotiate with the guerrillas. Also, the negotiations were begun under the previous government and it doesnt want to be seen to be pursuing their initiative. Sometimes I think that Pastrama talks about peace because he knows that that is what his audience wants to hear, that it is simply a way of ensuring continued assistance from abroad.
Does the fact that there is more than one resistance movement indicate serious divisions?
It is true that there are several resistance movements and that between us there are differences of history, style and programme. However, there are few really big differences. We have our own convictions and differences of methods and organisation but very little political antagonism, nothing which would stop us from participating in a peace process together.
How extensive is US intervention in your country?
US intervention in Colombia is constant, but its true that lately these actions have been more active, more aggressive. Halfway through last year senior Pentagon personnel travelled through Latin America meeting various authorities, and there was talk of a multinational intervention force in Colombia, on the pretext that our country had become a regional danger to neighbours, and also to act against drug traffickers. At the same time the US increased its military presence in Colombia, sending 400 advisors. They promised to train new battalions of the Colombian army, and recently approved extensive military aid. Out of a total package of over $1.5bn, 80% was for the war. They also provide new technology for war. In Kosovo, they claimed humanitarian motives to justify intervention. For us, its drug traffickers. They dont care about drug traffickers. Its easy to demonstrate that there is no real interest in controlling drug traffic. Operations and aid is concentrated against supposed drug traffic in the south of the country where peasants grow coca leaf, but in fact 60% of the drug grown for export comes from the north, yet there there are no antidrug operations.
So what are the real aims of the intervention?
Simply, to destroy the rebel insurgency. The US is afraid that the insurgence could become a menace to security and stability - but it is a stability and security defined by them and one which requires right wing governments.
What can readers who live in the US or its allied countries do to help the people of Colombia?
The people of the US and Europe should first of all oppose the intervention. They can contribute to the peace process by stressing the necessity of social change, that it isnt enough to bring the war to an end militarily, there must also be attention to what has brought about the conflict in the first place. And dont believe that the US is really concerned with narco-trafficking. With the amount of corruption and impunity that prevails in Colombia, there is no possibility of doing away with drug trafficking by military action. This, too, can only be achieved by a more general change.
Ramiro Vargas was talking to Steve McGiffen and Paul-Emile Dupret, who translated his answers from the Spanish.
