Green Principal Speaker demands Kim Howells apologise or resign
20 March 2008
Green Party Principal Speaker Dr. Derek Wall today slammed Kim Howells after the Foreign Office minister told a newspaper that the British Union backed campaign group 'Justice for Columbia' supports the Columbian paramilitary resistance movement FARC (The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), branding his remarks "irresponsible" and "dangerous". The remarks are seen as endangering the lives of human rights workers and trade unionists working within Columbia, as they could become victims of retaliatory violence.
Mr. Howells faces fresh criticism after his latest remarks, so soon after he featured in a series of photographs laughing with General Montoya, the Commander of Colombian National Army who was last year named in a US House of Representatives report as having allegedly "collaborated extensively with militias that the Department of State considers terrorists organisations", and in another seen posing with members of a Colombian military unit which human rights groups say was involved in the murder of trade unionists. (1)
This statement has caused outrage from both Justice For Columbia and the trade unions that back the group, including Unite, UNISON and the GMB. They are calling for Kim Howells to withdraw his comments or be sacked.
Dr. Wall, who has petitioned Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to enter into negotiations with the FARC for the release of the Oxygen - Green Party leader Íngrid Betancourt Pulecio said,
"Instead of responding to legitimate concerns raised about British policy in Colombia, Kim Howells is making irresponsible and unfounded allegations with no basis in reality and is putting lives at risk in Columbia.
"Death squads still kill those alleged to be link to paramilitary groups. Mr Howells' dangerous allegations could result in human rights activists being killed in the country.
"He must retract his remarks or resign.
"Resignation over policy differences or sex scandals are minor compared to statements that could potentially lead to loss of life. New Labour's unethical foreign policy has already led to too many unnecessary deaths. It must not be responsible for any more, whether in the Middle East or Latin America.'
ENDS
Notes for editor
