Sunday, May 27, 2007
Colombia: A Safe Haven for Mutually Beneficial Exchanges
The Sunday Life picks up on an interesting reference to an episode some would, no doubt, prefer to forget about. A report from the influential US-based RAND Corporation intended to advise the US government on policy in tackling terrorism focuses on how and why terrorist groups share knowledge for their mutual benefit.. and uses, as one case study, the PIRA’s Colombian adventures with FARC.. The full report, which was published on May 9th, is available online here. The RAND Corp news release stated
In the former demilitarized zone in southwest Colombia, the Provisional Irish Republican Army trained terrorists in the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly referred to as FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia). New technologies and knowledge included remote-detonation technologies and Mark 18 “barracks-buster” mortars, as well as guerrilla warfare tactics. These skills helped FARC improve its urban warfare capabilities in 2001. The IRA reportedly benefited by using the freedom of the demilitarized zone to experiment with its own weapons and received cash from FARC.
From notes on page 71 of the report [pdf file]
Adam Ward and James Hackett, eds., “The IRA’s Foreign Links: Externalising Its Expertise?” IISS Strategic Comments, Vol. 9, No. 5, July 2003. It is important to keep in mind that this is not the first time that FARC and PIRA have allegedly exchanged knowledge and information. PIRA purportedly initiated contact with FARC in 1997 through the ETA, with which PIRA has a long-standing relationship and has exchanged knowledge and technical know-how, particularly in bomb making. According to an April 2002 U.S. Department of State report, one of the three PIRA men, Connolly, Sinn Fein’s representative in Cuba, initiated the contact with FARC in 1997; and, from 1998 to 2001, at least 15 PIRA militants have traveled to Colombia, along with Iranian, Cuban, and Basque terrorists, to train FARC. One expert alleged that senior PIRA leaders would have sanctioned this kind of an exchange of technology with another militant group, even though they are publicly adhering to a cease-fire. Notably, PIRA has a long-standing policy prohibiting “freelancing” by its members; as such, the Colombia Three did not likely act alone, despite vehement denials
from Sinn Fein, which does not want to be seen as violating the cease-fire. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, responding to the information that this relationship developed after the 1997 peace process began in Northern Ireland, said on a trip to Bogotá in December 2002 that the groups were “sharing experiences and knowledge.”
And from page 79 of the report itself [pdf file]
PIRA Rationale
There are four key reasons that PIRA would be willing to share its technical experience with FARC. The first is that, until recently, the group wanted to remain technically and operationally relevant during the current cease-fire, which prevents PIRA from engaging in armed conflict. In September 2005, the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning determined that PIRA successfully decommissioned all its weapon stockpiles after years of stalled negotiations over whether or not PIRA would turn over its weapons to the government. However, at the time that the Colombia Three were arrested in Bogotá, many observers believed that PIRA would never turn over its weapons because the group was committed to establishing a united Ireland and had said it would do so by force if necessary. Because the group was committed at the time to a political rather than a military approach, it was limited in what it could do operationally to maintain its viability.
During the period of active operations from 1969 to 1997, PIRA was able to innovate technologically because it was forced consistently to come up with new ways to confront the enemy and gain the operational advantage. Because it was no longer engaging the enemy, PIRA had to be creative about how it remained relevant. Prior to decommissioning in September 2005, the group wanted to be able to resurrect its operations as soon as it believed the cease-fire was no longer working. To do this, PIRA needed to maintain the operational skills of its recruits and ensure that it had the appropriate technological capabilities to engage security forces when the time came. PIRA also wanted to maintain its credibility as a “revolutionary organization” with other like-minded groups and, by teaching these groups new skills, it helped to preserve its stature.
The second reason that PIRA was apparently willing to share its expertise is related to the first reason, and that is that, unlike PIRA, FARC is still operationally active. FARC confronts its enemy on a regular basis and has the ability to test new weapons on its adversary and train its rank and file in new technologies and operational strategies. If PIRA helps in this regard and FARC then tests this knowledge and weapons in its operations, PIRA can see whether or not these tactics and weapons are successful. In this way, PIRA can continue to exercise its bomb-making and other terrorist skills and use FARC as its “testing ground” to practice these skills.
Similarly, PIRA may have shared this technology to gain some knowledge in return. In the case of FARC-PIRA exchange, PIRA provided FARC with technological know-how in exchange for a safe haven in which to test its own new weapons away from watchful British and Northern Ireland security officials and cease-fire observers. Although there is no information available in the public domain to confirm that PIRA was engaging in new weapon testing in Colombia, some security officials with whom we spoke suggested that PIRA may have been building and testing a new weapon there. These officials suggested that PIRA feared its weapon-testing activities may have been attracting the attention of security officials at home and, as a result, sent the Colombia Three to the despeje to continue their efforts in a “safe” environment.
A third reason may have been some sort of payment for services rendered. PIRA is now receiving less money from its supporters in the United States as a result of September 11, 2001, and may have seen the opportunity to advise FARC as a new source of funding. British intelligence has speculated that PIRA could have received as much as $2 million for its efforts, which would make up for some of the losses suffered as a result of reductions in funds collected from U.S. sources. With all eyes on the Islamic terrorist threat, PIRA leaders may feel freer to conduct these kinds of activities because they believe the world’s attention is focused elsewhere. Moreover, the costs of running a nationwide organization such as Sinn Fein, which boasts 1,500 election workers, is expensive, and the group’s criminal operations may not be enough to sustain it militarily and politically.
Pete Baker @ 02:52 PM
Then McDowell was correct, PIRA earned plenty of money from FARC. Frank Connolly and his leakages on Bertie did not get SF or the republican movement what they wanted in the Irish election, seats of Fianna Fail.
Dirty tricks by dirty players.
The Irish electorate were right to reject these unreconstructed terrorists posing as democrats, and has Paisley jumped into bed with them too soon?
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 04:45 PMPIRA developed a good skills base around explosives.
Research and development ( R&D)is how most companies improve productivity and economies of scale. surely worthy of an innovative award ed.Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 05:12 PMis this news
surely we all knew this type of thing has been going on for years?
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 05:18 PMNot at all. McDowell lied. It was nowhere near 25m. Adams should sue.
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 05:27 PMwhatever PIRA’s turnover was I’m sure it got nowhere near these companies:
http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-modern-armament-manufacturers
but at least it was tax-free I supposePosted by on May 27, 2007 @ 05:32 PMFairy,
Your logic is bang on the mark except for the last question posed.
The belief that Republicans would be defeated and willingly administer British rule in return for the British pound was only a pipe dream untill the Grizzly one and Choir boy took over the reins.I remember discussing the state of the Union with JD 18 months ago, he agreed with my argument that the Union has never been more secure for a very long time. That discussion was well before the present deal and only the likes of Will Frazer who was present at this discussion could not understand the reality. Paisley is a wise old boy , who demanded an election took place because he knew the SHORT TERM difficulties that the DUP would experience jumping into bed with the Ra. The reality is he knew long term the Ra are on a hiding to nothing, the whole dynamic of Sinn Fein was creating a party capable of power both sides of an acknowledged and respected border.That position has now been exposed to be unrealistic. The reality is Sinn Fein and the Ra are a partionist organisation with no real Republican beliefs, they might as well join the stoops.
The notion as claimed by Adams and other leading Sinners that they can service the debt of three houses etc on a wage enjoyed by the average industrial worker is nothing short of contempt for the public. Mr Mc before his retirement from politics nailed the grizzly one upon that obvious lie, live on national TV.
Enjoy the moment mate, genuine Nationalists understand and comprehend the damge these two have caused to the just cause of a UI with a very clever and prolonged operation designed to keep their nose in the trough of wealth and power at the expense and death of many.
Wake up lads and lasses and smell that coffee.LOL
MartyPosted by on May 27, 2007 @ 05:40 PMmarty, and your 10 point-plan for a UI is ????
p.s wanna bet? :-)Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 05:43 PMhmm i think we are in danger so going off the subject here - terrorist funding of terrorists… is that acceptable fundraising?? should there be an enquiry into SF fundraising?
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 06:03 PMThe columbian link pre-dates 97, its then Quartermaster McKevitt was behind the link up. Catriona Ruanes husband was also involved and was arrested coming back into Dublin on a false passport, covered up by Fianna Fail government during “sensetitive times”.
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 06:24 PM‘They might as well join the stoops’
Mr Ingram, your logic for this is?
The social and democratic labour party (although within their ranks exsists some ex OIRA) do not as a party endorse violence,nor are they as a party unreconstructed terrorists, and they have always maintained a United Ireland thru peaceful means. For you, an English man to say that that party should be joined by unreconstructed terrorists is an insult, to the only political party on the nationalist side in the north who have remained throughout the troubles on the side of non violence and democracy. The stoops as you call them have always had the ideal of a united ireland and have worked consistently for that end.
Who was it brought the terrorists infrom the cold?
Who was it lost seats (ie joe hendron) due to gerrymandering to profit SF. The constituency of WB was redrawn to suit these terrorists posing as democrats.
You are an english man, who fought an english mans war, perhaps this is the flaw in your logic?Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 06:24 PMAnother story confirming the attempt by SF-IRA to corrupt democracy on the island of Ireland. The money has to come from somewhere to pay for all those SF-IRA ‘workers’ including some of them who contribute to Slugger. If any other party tried to buy elections with illegal drugs money, there would be an enquiry. Question is, would it suit the DUP to have an enquiry now we have a DUP IRA coalition at Stormont? After all, where is the exclusion mechanism that could kick SF-IRA out of Government?
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 07:10 PMFairy,
My experience of the conflict is a little more detailed than you and as the Sunday papers reported a few years ago the Intelligence services were more than interested in one or two stoops .
The thrust of my point is the stoops have always been a partionist party, Sinn Fein and the IRA have now joined up the writing to make a common sentence.
I may be an Englishman, but I spent 12 years of my formative years fighting criminals in the North of Ireland and I own an Irish passport and have full citizenship.
In summary Fairy.
I have forgotten more than the average Irishman will ever know, thats you included about so called democratic constitutional political parties in Ireland. That includes the stoops.
Ding Ding
PS. Parcifal.Point one. To rid the rabid corruption from Republicanism/Nationalism, without that you are not even back at the Sunningdale start point.
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 09:12 PMmarty, I don’t see the rabid corruption, just smiling SF faces going to work at Stormont.
Do you know something I don’t ?Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 09:19 PMThis is entirely balderdash. I took the trouble to read the part of this report which supposedly exposed the IRA/FARC link and paid particular attention to the footnotes. It quotes a whole range of dubious sources, “Northern Ireland Security Officials (I wonder who they could be?), local journalists fed by same officials with the official line to peddle, the discredited Henry Hyde Congressional Sub Committee Report and further examples of self serving peddlers of disinformation.
No doubt this report is to be a prelude to another increase in the funding for right wing terrorists in Colombia, with training weapons etc. (By the way, if anyone needs training in the techniques of fuel air bombs, recounted so vividly here, they should get in touch with the Americans. Don’t they love the smell of napalm in the morning?
And it will also feed the same journalists who provided the dodgy information - about IRA manuals being found in Colombia etc - with another basis to do a story based on the same dodgy information.
I think that this dodgy dossier ranks alongside the 45 minutes to mass destruction weapons raining in on London dossiers issued by the British in the run up to the ill fated Iraqi invasion.
Ever decreasing circles of disinformation will eventually lead those involved to vanishing up their own backsides.
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 09:33 PM“I own an Irish passport”
you should read it then. you’ll find it says it is the property of the irish government.
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 09:39 PM“I have forgotten more than the average Irishman will ever know,”
hmm I daresay you could tell us a thing or two about your involvement in the Dublin and Monagahan bombings were it not for the secrets act…
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 09:57 PMI hold no candle for SF but really anyone who takes the trouble to read this in full, with an even minimally sceptical mind, must see all sorts of dubious single sources, half-assesd analysis and a overall shoddiness that should shame RAND.
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 10:03 PMRandom quote:
It is important to keep in mind that this is not the first time that FARC and PIRA have allegedly exchanged knowledge and information. PIRA purportedly initiated contact with FARC in 1997…
and another:
Although there is no information available in the public domain to confirm that PIRA was engaging in new weapon testing in Colombia, some security officials with whom we spoke suggested that PIRA may have been building and testing a new weapon there.
Of course, I could go on, but it’s getting late.
To quote Congressman Bill Delahunt:
“We have been presented with a report short on facts and replete with surmise and opinion.”
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 10:20 PMWell done the Three Amigos. The FARC are the good guys. Lest we forget.
Posted by on May 27, 2007 @ 10:37 PMAnother crap Peter Baker post.
Posted by on May 28, 2007 @ 03:21 AMSinn Fein are funded by narco terrorists. Their top bomb makers were caught red handed. Sinn Fein have no way of explaining their corporate or personal wealth. The Criminal Assets Buraeau should confiscate all their goods and chattels and the Colombia three should be extradited back to serve jail sentences in Colombia. Do the crime, do the time.
The Provo trolls here notwithstanding, Sinn Fein is the moast hated party in Ireland.Posted by on May 28, 2007 @ 04:12 AMI think GK needs to take his pills. His Devalera complex is getting too ridiculous. If SF is the most hated party in Ireland, how come it INCREASED its vote when all around it, the likes of Labour, full of its Sticky fingered veterans with non decomissioned weapons and links to international forgery rings, and the PDs, the most vehement anti SF party there is, LOST votes.
As for his ‘troll’ comment, I think he should have read the dodgy dossier from Rand before engaging his mouth on this occasion. It’s of the same type and from the same type of source which led to the UK/US invasion of Iraq. It’s there to serve a vested interest - ie to give justification for the enhanced funding of right wing narco terrorists in Colombia, the ones with which the Uribe government colludes, as a prelude to drawing Colombia closer to the US and allowing it to act as a right wing bulwark to the ‘red’ tide currently sweeping Latin and South America.
Posted by on May 28, 2007 @ 07:46 AMHi,
Liam you must be clairvoyant! LOL
quote hmm I daresay you could tell us a thing or two about your involvement in the Dublin and Monagahan bombings were it not for the secrets act…unquote
I received a request back from the office of Taoiseach via the director British Irish Rights Watch to meet with Judge Barron.
I complied fully with the Taoiseach`s request.Judge Barron was particularly interested in Ned Garvey.
Incidently I met with the Judge without getting permission under the OSA, that was my risk taken in the general public interest.
In summary Liam it looks like you last point was wide of the mark mate.
Jack,
I own an Irish passport”
quote you should read it then. you’ll find it says it is the property of the irish government.unquote
So is national soverignty but that does not stop the Brits running around the place now does it slow boy.
Ding ding ding a longPosted by on May 28, 2007 @ 08:08 AMTo borrow a phrase, I hadn’t gone away….
Naturally I’m disappointed at the Election result, not alone for SF but for the Greens and Socialist Party too. The only silver lining is the demise of the PDs and the departure of McDowell. Fair play to the winners, they won well, albeit with not a little help from Sir Tony.
Now do you want to return to the topic at hand….
Posted by on May 28, 2007 @ 08:23 AMHave these “intelligence” sources determined whether or not the IRA have weapons of mass destruction?
Posted by on May 28, 2007 @ 09:00 AM
