Pubdate: Thu, 03 Jul 2003 Source: Associated Press (Wire) Copyright: 2003 Associated Press Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/27 Author: Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/colombia.htm (Colombia) COLOMBIA PRES DENOUNCES US MILITARY AID CUTOFF BOGOTA (AP)--Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said the United States should not impose conditions for providing military aid to his country in the fight against terrorism and international drug trafficking. His comment came after Washington decided to cut off military aid to 35 countries, including Colombia, because they failed to protect Americans from the purview of a new international war crimes court. Colombia could be the hardest hit by the U.S. decision, if the dispute continues into next year. The United States has donated more than US$2.5 billion to the South American nation in the past three years. "Aid cannot be given under harsh conditions, nor under pressure," Uribe was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office late Wednesday. His comments were the toughest yet in response to Washington's decision. "What we have to do is examine the legal accords between the two countries," he said. Colombian officials are looking into whether a previous bilateral agreement between the two countries can protect U.S. officials here from the Brussels, Belgium-based International Criminal Court. Uribe said, however, that his country had yet to receive formal notification of Washington's decision to suspend about US$5 million in aid. So far this year, the United States has given Colombia just under US$600 to battle drug trafficking and a leftist rebel insurgency. The U.S. State Department stopped US$48 million in aid to 35 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and Central and South America late Tuesday. U.S. lawmakers set a July 1 deadline for most recipients of U.S. military aid to exempt American troops and other personnel from prosecution before the new court. The United States fears the court could leave American soldiers subject to false and politically motivated prosecutions. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake