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Here's the Fellowship of Reconciliation's Colombia update for September 2009.

• Thanks, and a Request
  
• Bases and UNASUR Update
  
• Beyond the Peace Community...
  
• Damming Magdalena: Emgesa Threatens Colombian Communities

Colombia monthly e-newsletter

• Action Alert: Colombia Military Bases, or South American Peace?
  
• Religious and Grassroots Leaders Urge Suspension of Base Talks
  
• Obama's Choice: Documents Show U.S Seeks Colombian Bases for Training & Operations
  
• Letter from the Field: "Yanquis Fuera!"
  
• British MPs Urge End to U.K. Military Aid
  
• Protests in Colombia Increase Despite Oppression of Dissent
• News Briefs: Anti-Mili; Witness Paid to Testify Against Peace Community
• World Summit for Peace: Bogotá, Colombia -- October 1-4, 2009
  

Religious and Grassroots Leaders Urge Clinton to Suspend Military Base Talks with Colombia

Bases deal “presents enormous dangers for entire hemisphere”

It doesn’t come as a surprise that yesterday, when the Organization of American States held an emergency session to deal with Andean crisis, the United States was the only country that spoke out in support of Colombia’s strike. Every other country in the Hemisphere condemned Colombia’s military strike in Ecuadorian territory as a breach of sovereignty.

Those who follow Colombian affairs know well that life there is anything but boring. Kevin Coulombe, a Canadian volunteer in our Colombia Peace Presence team told me yesterday "One day in Colombia is like one year in Canada." In Colombia, amazing events happen all the time and at a speed that often leave you breathless. So, I can't say that the current Andean crisis, with ambassadors expelled, embassies closed, tanks and troops moved to the border is that extraordinary. Do you remember when the now all but forgotten para-politics scandal broke?