[Peace] Call senators about Colombia today (fwd)

[C. G. Estabrook]

I've just spoken to secretaries in the offices of Senator Durbin
(202.224.2152) and Fitzgerald (202.224.2854) about this.  I think the
matter is important -- we're killing people at a substantial rate in
Colombia right now, and it's the place where the Bush administration may
stage its re-election war next year.  Our representatives need to know
that we know about it. --CGE

---------- Forwarded message ----------

We've just heard that the Senate could debate the 2004 foreign aid bill,
with over $500 million for Colombia, as early as today or tomorrow (Tuesday
or Wednesday, October 28/29).  Also, tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday 10/29),
there is a hearing in the Senate on the impact of Plan Colombia.  This
hearing will be dominated by administration officials who largely support
the current policy.  With many apologies for the short notice -- we were
caught off-guard as well -- there are two actions we need your help with.

Please take a minute to make a quick phone call today!  You can reach your
senators by calling the congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 or
toll-free at 1-800-839-5276.  If you don't know who your senators are, see
www.senate.gov.

ACTIONS:

1) Call your Senators before the end of the day TODAY (Tuesday, October 28)
and ask them to raise concerns about US military policy and fumigation in
Colombia during debate on the 2004 foreign aid bill.  No senator is offering
an amendment on Colombia, so there will be no questioning of the policy
unless we ask them to stand up and make statements.

2) The Plan Colombia hearing tomorrow is being organized by the Senate
foreign relations committee.  Members are listed below.  If you live in one
of these states, please call your senator's office TODAY (Tuesday 10/28) and
ask him or her to raise concerns about the impact of US military policy and
fumigation in Colombia during the hearing.  For more information and talking
points on US/Colombia policy, go to
http://www.lawg.org/pages/new%20pages/countries/Colombia/Senate-debate.htm.
The Senators on the Foreign Relations Committee are: Lugar (R-IN), Hagel
(R-NE), Chafee (R-RI), Allen (R-VA), Brownback (R-KS), Enzi (R-WY),
Voinovich (R-OH), Alexander (R-TN), Coleman (R-MN), Sununu (R-NH), Biden
(D-DE), Sarbanes (D-MD), Dodd (D-CT), Kerry (D-MA), Feingold (D-WI), Boxer
(D-CA), Nelson (D-FL), Rockefeller (D-WV), Corzine (D-NJ).  If you live in
one of these states, please make a quick phone call today and help make the
hearing more balanced by asking them to raise concerns.  These efforts also
help educate other senators, building more support for a change in policy.

Thank you for your hard work in favor of a more just and humane US policy
toward Colombia!

Elanor Starmer
Associate for Colombia and Central America
Latin America Working Group
T: 202/546-7010    F: 202/543-7647    estarmer at lawg.org
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Latin America Working Group
Action at home for just policies abroad     www.lawg.org
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