Cleaning in Colombian intelligence
November 6, 2005
Recently, DAS has been accused more than once that it is distracted to the cases that do not exactly correspond to its “profile”, in particular it maintains close ties with the so called “self-defence detachments”, i.e. paramilitary bodies of ultra right orientation, created in contrast to guerilla marxist groupings FARC and ELN.
The information about improper activities of DAS employees leaked during the conflict of the now intelligence ex-chief Jorge Noguera and his “deputy” Jose Miguel Narvaez.
Narvaez accused one of the subordinates of Noguera – Enrique Ariza, head of a special intelligence group, that the latter used to sell classified information to leaders of «paramilitares». The information, of course, was used, first of all, for retaliatory measures against undesirable persons, right up to their elimination.
Ex-director Noguera, naturally, denies it, bringing the issue down to a commonplace level: that Noguera, they say, has fabricated everything to intrigue against his boss and to occupy the director's chair.
But the scandal has flared up. The present acting DAS director Andres Penate announced the coming major restructuring and cleaning in the intelligence ranks. The government has set up a committee that during 3 months will study the situation in DAS and then give the recommendations regarding reforming of intelligence service. Special attention will be paid to revelation of illegal ties of DAS with paramilitares. Besides, the staff of DAS will undergo loyalty, corruption and moral reliability check. All the employees will be tested at lie detector. Giving the personal example, A.Penate was the first to be checked at the polygraph.
Statement of the neighbouring Venezuela President Hugo Chavez added more spice to the inner crisis. He accused Colombian secret services that they “conspire against the Venezuelan government”, i.e. they take part in conspiracies against the legally elected government of the neighbouring country and act as an independent from the President of Colombia organisation.
What is true in these accusations and what is not will de shown by the special committee investigation. Colombian foreign minister Carolina Barco promised that it will be the most careful study: “Colombia has the bodies that are transparent, serious, democratic and responsible. We are very much concerned with such allusions, and it seems very essential for us to find out what particular information is available with president Chavez”.