Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Colombia's Uribe under probe over 1997 massacre

BOGOTA (AFP) Colombian President Alvaro Uribe denied Wednesday charges he helped plan a 1997 massacre by right-wing paramilitaries, while confirming that his role was being examined in an official investigation.

Uribe said the charges were lodged by a former member of the paramilitary, whom he described as a disgruntled convict with an axe to grind.

"He said I was at a meeting with him ... along with various generals in La Caucana, taking part in planning the massacre at Aro," in which 15 people were killed, Uribe told Colombian broadcaster Radio Caracol.

But Uribe said he had proof of his innocence of the charges, and lashed out at justice officials for following up the accusations against "honorable people."........

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