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Uribe seems to be a good man doing a good job - and for once, with a US president inclined to support him. That's why FARC and ELN are stepping up the violence level, because they're finally beginning to feel some serious heat.

I wish more Americans realized how important this struggle in Colombia is to all of us. Colombia has come very close to gaining control over the guerrillas in the past, but every time, US policy changed because we had either a Dem president or a Dem Congress, both of which for some reason seem to love the idea of a Cuba-manipulated Communist Colombia. I hope Uribe is able to pull it off this time.

There's A Better Way To Beat The Media Clymers (And You Don't Have To Skate)!

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Colombia PING

***Q: How do you get along with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez?

A: I have always spoken very sincerely with him, with respect, in good faith, and seeking solutions to the problems. Because we have a very extensive border with Venezuela, we have to find solutions to common problems.

Q: Are you concerned in any way by some reports that allegedly link him, or his government, to the Colombian guerrillas?

A: He has told me repeatedly, in all our meetings, that he has no connection with the Colombian guerrillas, that he simply took some steps when the previous Colombian administration so requested it from him.

That's why I've chosen to maintain a periodic dialogue with Venezuela. And coming from one fundamental premise: We are the guilty party in all this, for we were the ones who allowed the expansion here of violent groups and drugs. So I tell our neighbors, all our neighbors: "Colombia is the great culprit, but help us."

It's like when you contract a disease by your own fault. Those around you try to help to cure you, not only for your good, but also so they don't get the disease. So I've told them: "We are guilty, but you run the risk of contagion."***

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Colombia sends message to rebels via Venezuela [Full Text] BOGOTA, Colombia, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe said on Wednesday he had asked Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez to pass a message to leftist guerrillas that he is willing to start peace talks. Uribe's comments are the first time the Colombian president has publicly suggested a link between the left-leaning Chavez and the Marxist-inspired Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish initials FARC.

Relations between Bogota and Caracas have been strained periodically over accusations by the Colombian military that Chavez is letting FARC rebels use Venezuela as a staging ground for attacks. In February, Colombia's interior minister accused Chavez of meeting "frequently" with FARC rebels, but was publicly reprimanded by Uribe after Venezuela threatened to break off diplomatic relations. Chavez, who has criticized Colombia's U.S.-backed "Plan Colombia" offensive against drug-traffickers and guerrillas, denies he is collaborating with the guerrillas, who are described as "terrorists" by Washington.

"Last week I told Chavez: 'President, stop worrying so much about Colombia's security policies. Tell the FARC that if they are bored with our policies, they can negotiate with me in five minutes'," Uribe told a university audience in Bogota. Colombian media have alleged that Manuel "Sureshot" Marulanda, the top FARC commander, has been hiding in neighboring Venezuela since the Colombian government broke off peace talks with the rebel group in February 2002.

Uribe, a close U.S. ally in the war on drugs who took office in August 2002, has launched an offensive against the 17,000-strong FARC, which originated 39 years ago in a peasant uprising. He has said he will only negotiate peace with rebels if they agree to a cease-fire. On Sunday, FARC guerrillas fired assault rifles as Uribe's helicopter flew into a village in northern Colombia. [End]

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Uribe is paddling upstream if he believes (who thinks he does?) that Chavez is going to turn his back on terrorism.