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Colombian president vows to reject bill that would soften corruption probe

That's what he says, at least...let's see if he actually does.

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11:36, June 22, 2007
Colombian president vows to reject bill that would soften corruption probe

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe vowed on Thursday to reject a bill passed by Congress on Wednesday that seeks to soften the investigation into corruption among legislators, a presidential spokesman said.

The bill, approved in a rush of votes before the last legislative session ended Wednesday, states that members of Congress accused of corruption would not be investigated by the inspector general's office, as mandated under current law, but by their fellow legislators.

"I object to it," Uribe said on Thursday when asked by a reporter about the law.

The move by Colombia's Congress to try to soften corruption investigations further damages the country's image abroad, said Jorge Rojas, head of Colombia's top human rights group CODHES.

"They were trying to protect lawmakers who are linked to illegal groups, and that sends the wrong message," Rojas said.

Over a dozen lawmakers, the majority from parties loyal to Uribe, are in jail awaiting trial for supporting right-wing death squads funded by this South American country's illegal cocaine trade.

Source: Xinhua

http://english.people.com.cn/200706/22/eng20070622_386795.html

By juancegomez on Jun 21, 2007, 22:36 in Politics & the war.

chicomalo says on Jun 22, 2007, 02:10:

"that seeks to soften the investigation into corruption among legislators" yep that is exactly what Colombia needs. What are they going to call this bill? Turn your head while I stick my hand in the cookie jar? Are the Colombian people really that dissalusioned that they allow their representatives to actually put something like this on the table?

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chicomalo says on Jun 22, 2007, 02:13:

and for sure we will not see a protest. Where are those college kids now? Activist Professors? I meen they organized and protested Bush like no tomorrow and this right here has more of an impact on their future than Bush ever had. I would say their priorities are a bit mixed up.

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Sr Tertius says on Jun 22, 2007, 18:36:

Chicomalo, you seem to be jumping to conclusions a bit too quickly. Students and professors (activists and not) were mobilized to protest the new "Ley de Transferencia." It appears that if they see something that goes against their interest, they do express it. Another thing is to attribute priorities to other people.

If you don't approve of something YOU do the protesting; don't expect others to do it for you.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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