| Press Statement Sean McCormack, Spokesman Washington, DC May 30, 2006 Colombia: Determination and Certification of Colombian Government and Armed Forces with Respect to Human Rights Related ConditionsOn May 26, 2006, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice determined and certified to the Congress that the Colombian government and armed forces are continuing to meet statutory criteria related to human rights and severing ties to paramilitary groups. Promoting respect for human rights is central to our policy in Colombia. There has been significant progress during the Uribe Administration, but we will continue to urge the Government of Colombia to further strengthen human rights protections and to take additional steps to ensure accountability for perpetrators of human rights abuses and other crimes. We are encouraged by the Government of Colombia's commitment to continued efforts to achieve these important objectives. In accordance with Section 556(a)(1) of the FY 2005 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act (FOAA), 75 percent of FY2005 funds appropriated for assistance to the Colombian Armed Forces were obligated before any certification, and 12.5 percent were obligated following a previous certification in August 2005. This determination and certification by the Secretary of State, which is pursuant to Section 556(a) (2), permits the final 12.5 percent of FY 2005 funds to be obligated. 2006//554
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