31 October 2001

U.S. Revoking Visas of United Self-Defense Supporters

In its ongoing efforts to fight terrorism, the United States is revoking the visas of four Colombian citizens "who have collaborated with, or supported financially, the United Self-Defense Forces of Columbia (AUC)," the State Department said in a press release issued October 30.

According to the State Department, the United States government has formally designated the AUC as a foreign terrorist organization as defined by U.S. law.

Following is the text of the press release:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

October 30, 2001

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

U.S. Revoking Visas of United Self-Defense Supporters

As part of our ongoing efforts to oppose terrorism, the United States government is revoking the U.S. non-immigrant visas of four Colombian citizens who have collaborated with, or supported financially, the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). We are also adding to our lookout systems the names of 45 individuals with links to the AUC to ensure that these individuals are denied U.S. visas.

This is only a first step. As we develop additional information on individuals who belong to, collude with or support financially the AUC, we will proceed to revoke U.S. visas of those who hold them, and add to the watch list the names of those who do not. We will continue to work with the government of Colombia to develop information on AUC members, supporters and financiers.

On September 10, the U.S. government designated the AUC a Foreign Terrorist Organization as defined by U.S. law. Organizations that we had previously designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under U.S. law include the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Army of National Liberation (ELN). Our visa policy applies equally to individuals associated with all three groups, which were designated under U.S. law due to their commission of massacres, kidnappings of civilians, and participation in the trafficking of narcotics.

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