by René Lavanchy
FOREIGN Office Minister Kim Howells has backed down from accusing the pressure group Justice for Colombia of links to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) army, after trade unions called for him to be sacked.
Mr Howells, who was denounced recently for appearing in photos with Colombian soldiers accused of killing trade unionists, had told the Western Mail newspaper: “This has all been created by the organisation Justice for Colombia, which supports FARC, a band of gangsters and drug smugglers.”
But after unions rounded on him and demanded an apology or resignation, he wrote a letter to JFC president and TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, saying: “I do not believe Justice for Colombia or British trade unions support the FARC” and promising to inform the Colombian government.
The letter emerged at a meeting last week of Labour’s National Executive Committee, where Gordon Brown spoke to members about Mr Howells’ comments and said he now regretted them.
JFC secretary Liam Craig-Best said he welcomed Mr Brown’s intervention, but added: “Why hasn’t he [Mr Howells] made a public apology, that’s what I’d like to know.
“Within less than a week, Howells has contradicted himself with regards to Justice for Colombia. He has also given misleading statements to the House. No wonder British policy on Colombia is so misguided.”
NEC member Ellie Reeves told Tribune: “I think Gordon understood that many members of the NEC felt strongly about it.
“I’m pleased that he’s now written this letter saying what he does… now I’d like to see a policy change. I don’t think we should give military aid to Colombia while human rights abuses continue.”
