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August 2, 2005
Webring Assignment #1 - Tourism in Columbia
Prolog: J. Wo also known as Ms. Write Again Soon has initiated the creation of a webring. The purpose of this group is to get various points of view on one specific topic per week. The topic will be offered up on Monday and addressed in our individual blogs on Tuesday. I have chosen to participate primarily because it is a new experience and the writing practice can only do me good. That said, I will very likely be spouting uninformed opinions in these assignments. Being generally undereducated, this isn't really surprising. Now with the disclaimer behind us, here we go!
The troubling stats I've found:
*"In May 2004, the UN announced that Colombia's 39-year-long drug war had created the worst humanitarian crisis in the Western Hemisphere. More than 2 million people have been forced to leave their homes and several Indian tribes are close to extinction. It now has the third largest displaced population in the world, with only Sudan and the Congo having more. Uribe has produced some impressive results in fixing his country's ills, however. According to his defense minister, during 2003 more than 16,000 suspected leftist guerrillas and right-wing paramilitary vigilantes either surrendered, were apprehended, or were killed." (Source: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107419.html)
*"That has all conspired to give the country a dark image. But, said Botero, "All the figures show that we have made notable advances in improving security. Even the U.S. government's travel warning reflects that."
He was referring to U.S. Department of State advisories about countries it considers dangerous. The latest on Colombia, in May, said "violence by narcoterrorist groups and other criminal elements continues to affect all parts of the country, urban and rural. No one can be considered immune on the basis of occupation, nationality or any other factor." (Source: http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/08/01/colombia.tourism.reut/index.html)
*The Government's emphasis during the year [2002] on improving security resulted in significant improvements in many human rights indicators. Murders fell by 20 percent, kidnappings declined 39 percent, and forced displacements of persons were cut by 49 percent. The number of newly displaced persons appeared to decline for the first time since 1999. The overall number of large-scale massacres and other killings committed by AUC terrorists appeared to decline during the year. Labor leaders and activists continued to be victims of high levels of violence; however, the number of union leaders killed during the year declined significantly. (Source: http://www.nationbynation.com/Columbia/Human.html)
Having read about the kidnappings, political murders, displaced populations, drug trade and terrorist activity, I can't imagine traveling to Columbia for any reason other than humanitarian. Despite the improving security statistics I still find it irresponsible of the Columbian government to suggest that their country is a safe place for unescorted foreign tourists. Maybe in ten years? But not today.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
