Democracy Now! March 3, 1999

Colombia Three U.S. citizens were kidnapped last week in Colombia's remote northeastern border with Venezuela. According to friends and co-workers, the three were on amission to help preserve the cultural identity of an indigenous group under the auspices of the Hawaii based Pacific Cultural Conservancy International. No group has yet claimed responsibility. GUEST: Daniel Garcia Pena, guest scholar at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. and former Hight Commissionerfor Peace in Colombia 1995-1998. GUETS: Augustin Jimenez, President of the Committee in Solidarity with Political Prisoners, a human rights organization that assists political prisoners who are detained, often without trial or legal assistance. GUEST: Jose Giron, member of the board of directors for the Popular Training Institiute, a non-governmental human rights arganization based in Medellin. Xanana Gusmao Indonesian President B.J. Habibie said this week that he wants East Timor to decide on the question of autonomy before national elections on June 7 - this according to Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer. Downer said that an "autonomy package" could be finalized during the next round of U.N. sponsored talks on East Timor between Indonesia, Portugal and the East Timorese this upcoming March 7, to 9th. GUEST: Xanana Gusmao, resistance leader from East Timor. Speaking from Jakarta, where he is under house arrest.