AP News, January 31st, 2007
The Supreme Court opened preliminary investigations into four more politicians for alleged ties to illegal right-wing militias after it was revealed they signed a 2001 letter of understanding with the paramilitary groups, the court's president said Tuesday.
The court also ordered another four politicians, including the foreign minister's brother, to submit to additional questioning as probes deepened into their relations with paramilitaries.
"A preliminary inquiry is going forward, this is the initial phase of the process and to hear their testimony does not imply formal charges," said Alfredo Gomez, a Supreme Court judge.
Seven of those called to testify are backers of President Alvaro Uribe, while one belongs to an opposition party.
Senator Miguel de la Espriella, one of those called to testify, revealed the existence of the document in a November interview with the national daily, El Tiempo.
Some 30 politicians signed the letter, which was headed "confidential and secret," including congressmen, governors, mayors and regional deputies. The pact proposed "rebuilding our country" and the creation of a "new social contract."
While some of the politicians have claimed they were coerced into signing, others said they thought it was the foundation for a peace process. Top commanders of the paramilitaries were present at the meeting.
The pledge is the latest indication of the collusion of Colombia's political establishment with the paramilitaries. Seven current politicians have so far been jailed and are awaiting trial on charges ranging from the creation of paramilitary groups to homicide.
Originally created by landowners and drug traffickers to fight leftist rebels, paramilitaries are accused of some of the worst massacres in Colombia's long-running conflict. They are also accused of exporting hundreds of tons of cocaine abroad.
The paramilitaries are in a peace process with the government that has led to more than 31,000 fighters laying down their arms.
