Pentagonsbeschrijving van FARC (beetje gekleurd dus)
quote:
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
Name(s). Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
Goals and Objectives. FARC’s goal is to establish a Marxist state in
Colombia. On its website, the groups says it aims “to overcome the great economic,
social, cultural, ethnic and political inequalities” in Colombia.
Brief History. FARC was established in 1964 after a particularly bloody period in Colombia’s history known as La Violencia (1948-1958).390 The violence ended in 1958 with a reconciliation between key parties in the government. Meanwhile, landless rebels banded together under FARC, which was formally established as the military wing of the Colombian Communist Party. FARC has emerged to be what the State Department describes as Colombia’s “oldest, largest, most-capable, and
best-equipped Marxist insurgency.”
It has targeted both Colombian and foreign interests (including U.S.), as well as military and civilian targets. FARC’s original leader, Manuel “Tirofijo” Marulando, still controls the group, and has in the past agreed to negotiate cease-fire terms with the Colombian government. In 1999, these negotiations led President Andres Pastrana to grant FARC autonomy over a Switzerland-size zone in southern Colombia. Experts say that FARC engaged in illicit behavior, including kidnapping, extortion, and drug
operations, and that this behavior proliferated in the autonomous area. In 2001, the FARC killed 197 civilians.
President Pastrana called off peace talks with FARC in February 2002, after the group failed to cease attacks. The president ordered Colombian armed forces to reclaim the FARC-controlled area. Peace talks between FARC and the government have not progressed since the last failed attempt in 2002.
Favored Tactics. FARC practices a variety of tactics, including bombings, kidnappings, hijackings, and mortar attacks.
Anti-American Activities. FARC has been known to target U.S. citizens. Experts say that since 1980, FARC (together with the National Liberation Army (ELN)) has kidnapped more than 100 Americans, 13 of whom have been killed. As recently as February 2003, FARC rebels claimed to have shot down a U.S. plane carrying four Pentagon contractors and a Colombian on an anti-drug operation. The rebels kidnapped three of the Americans and executed the fourth after their plane CRS-91
On March 4, 1999, FARC assailants abducted and later killed three U.S. humanitarian workers. In a landmark decision, in May 2003, the Colombian government extradited to the United States one of six FARC rebels suspected of committing the murders.At this writing, Nelson Vargas Rueda is awaiting trial inthe United States.
Primary Area(s) of Operation. FARC operates mainly in Colombia. According to some analysts, FARC operates in about 40% of the country, and it has recently claimed responsibility for terrorist activity in the capital city of Bogota. There are also reports that FARC has encroached upon the borders of Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador. It also reportedly maintains offices in Cuba, Mexico, and
Europe.
Strength and Composition. The State Department has said that the FARC consists of 9,000 to 12,000 armed combatants.397 Some observers put the number much higher at as many as 18,000 members.
Connections with Other Groups. Some experts suspect that FARC may have a connection with the Irish Republican Army. This suspicion arose on August 11, 2001, when three of the IRA’s best explosives experts were caught traveling with false passports in Bogota, Colombia. The three men claimed that they were visiting FARC’s autonomous region in Colombia to observe the peace process; but traces of
explosives were found on their belongings and they were subsequently charged with training FARC operatives. FARC has subsequently displayed more agility with the use of bombs and its tactics and targeting have changed. For example, the FARC increased its use of car bombs and began attacking more economic and urban targets. The FARC also increased the number and lethality of its attacks in 2001 and 2002, killing more than 400 Colombian soldiers and police in an 18 month-span.
FARC may very well be “one of the richest, if not the richest, insurgent group in the world. FARC uses a variety of mechanisms to raise funds, including kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and drug trafficking. Drug operations may have yielded from $100 million upwards to $1 billion.402 There is no public evidence to suggest that FARC receives funding, arms, or training from foreign governments.
Originally Designated as an FTO. October 8, 1997.
Re-designated. October 8, 1999, October 5, 2001.
Issues of Concern for Congress. This group has kidnapped and killed numerous American citizens and poses a serious threat to U.S. interests in Colombia. It is also very actively involved in drug trafficking and extortion, earning large amounts of money. It is a threat to the stability of the Colombian government.
Het terrorisme in deze groep zit dus in ontvoeringen en sinds kort autobommen. Niet het niveau van Al Qaeda. Eens opzoeken hoevaak de FRAC nu ontvoert en bommetjes legt.
Opvallend aan het lijstje vind ik dat het allen communisten en moslimorganisaties zijn. (ETA en IRA uitgezonderd, maar die zijn er voor politieke redenen opgezet). Waar staat bijvoorbeeld het leger van de Heer? Als er 1 organisatie terroristisch is....
edit: opmaak
[ Bericht 16% gewijzigd door Zemi77 op 07-09-2007 19:26:55 ]