Sir, - As Irish Franciscans we wish to add our voices to support the work that Trocaire, Afri and Father Brendan Forde's family have done to keep the village of La Union and the peace community of San Jose de Apartado in the world's spotlight.
While the political, social and economic situation in Colombia is complex, it is very clear that the gross violations of human rights by paramilitaries, the state army and the police must not be allowed to continue. People power is still a real force in the international community and we encourage people to join the letter-writing campaign being promoted by Trocaire and Afri. We call on our own Foreign Minister, Mr Brian Cowen, to take a clear position of opposition to Plan Colombia and to promote this position at EU level. - Yours, etc.,
Michael Martin OFM, Franciscan Justice Desk, Merchant's Quay, Dublin 8.