(26 Nov 1997) Spanish/Nat
The Colombian parliament has voted against plans to reintroduce the unconditional extradition of drug traffickers wanted for trial in the U-S.
The lower house backed the extradition of Colombian citizens by a 144-15 vote, late on Tuesday, but with strings attached.
Extradition will not apply to those guilty of crimes committed in the past although this runs the risk of U-S ire.
U-S demands for the extradition of narco-traffickers from Colombia for trial was dealt a severe blow on Tuesday.
Members of Colombia's lower house of congress voted to raise a six year old constitutional ban on extradition.
But they denied U-S access to drug barons whose crimes date prior to this new amendment, voting 119-38 against retroactive powers.
Foreign Minister Emma Mejia argued in vain for a new, unconditional extradition treaty.
She said U-S/Colombian relations, often bitter, should not cloud political judgement of an issue which has broader importance.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"It (drug trafficking) is not a theme which affects only the United States and Colombia. The United States does not do this (seek extradition) for or against Colombia."
SUPER CAPTION: Emma Mejia, Foreign Minister
Extradition of Colombian citizens was banned in 1991 during a bloody decade-long war of terror waged by drug traffickers against the state.
And opposition party members continue to oppose any effort to have this ban repealed.
Those hostile to the reintroduction of extradition rights considered this vote an issue of national sovereignty.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"This debate has nothing to do with Gringo pressure, it appears to me a consideration that is out of focus, almost disrespectful - they are playing the fool. The extradition problem is not a fight against narco-trafficking, it is an attempt to Gringo-ise universal culture."
SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Alfonso Lucio, Opposition member of Congress
There were fears on Wednesday that Washington is considering tougher economic sanctions against Colombia in response to the vote.
The country risks the costly penalty of being blacklisted or "decertified" by the U-S for a third consecutive year.
The verdict of decertification implies insufficient efforts are being made to tackle the drug trade.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"The government wants to trick congress because voting for the retroactivity of Article 20 with the United States would violate the Vienna Convention which was signed by Colombia and to violate... well, the treaty with the United States would be nullified.
SUPER CAPTION: Pablo Victoria, Opposition member of Congress
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"The international community must respect the sovereign decisions of this country, because we are 32 (m) million Colombians who must take this decision, just as in the United States, in the states of California and Arkansas, through a vote and referendum, legalised marijuana. We Colombians have the right to take the decision to throw out extradition."
SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Alfonso Lucio, Opposition member of Congress
President Ernesto Samper greeted the news on Wednesday with words of regret.
His government had publicly lobbied for extradition without restrictions.
The U-S had warned before the vote that a bill which protected previously convicted drug traffickers was not acceptable.
Critics say Samper prevaricated on the issue and didn't do enough to influence the bill's fate.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
SUPER CAPTION: Ernesto Samper, President of Colombia
The two men most likely to benefit from Tuesday's vote are the Cali cartel drug kingpins.
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