U.S. acknowledges Colombia operation
BOGOTA, Colombia - On the eve of a visit by President Bush, the U.S. Embassy confirmed Saturday that American and Colombian soldiers had conducted a joint operation in the southern stronghold of leftist rebels who are holding three U.S. military contractors.
The rare confirmation followed a report by Colombia's largest newspaper, citing unidentified sources, that two local residents had been detained in the late January operation and interrogated about the contractors' whereabouts.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Marshall Louis said only that "U.S. personnel accompanied Colombian forces in the south and that's all I can say about it."
The U.S. military's rules of engagement bar American soldiers from combat operations in this conflict-scarred nation but permit them to accompany host nation troops in areas where guerrillas operate and to defend themselves if attacked.
Link Here
The rare confirmation followed a report by Colombia's largest newspaper, citing unidentified sources, that two local residents had been detained in the late January operation and interrogated about the contractors' whereabouts.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Marshall Louis said only that "U.S. personnel accompanied Colombian forces in the south and that's all I can say about it."
The U.S. military's rules of engagement bar American soldiers from combat operations in this conflict-scarred nation but permit them to accompany host nation troops in areas where guerrillas operate and to defend themselves if attacked.
Link Here
Article from NY Times, May 18, 2001, "'Private Contractors' Role of U.S. Companies in Colombia is Qu
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 4:42 AM
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