Somewhat under the radar, Congress has been holding hearings recently in which it has been alleged that Colombian trade unionists have been assassinated by paramilitaries paid by American companies.
Specifically, according to a Congressional witness, "Drummond Ltd., the Colombian subsidiary of Alabama-based Drummond Co., Inc., paid paramilitaries to kill three union officials at Drummond. And, he said, several other American companies, including Ohio-based Chiquita Brands International, have been involved in similar practices." Drummond, it is further alleged, provided company vehicles to the right-wing groups to patrol the area.
It has also been suggested that Bush's friend, Columbian President Alberto Uribe has aided and abetted right-wing death squad leaders, with the squads meeting on Uribe's ranches to plan these murders.
It also turns out that the heads of Drummond are
major contributors to the Republican Party
As is being reported today in Truthout
Washington, D.C. - Witnesses ranging from a former Colombian military officer to an American human rights expert testified before Congress today that paramilitary groups are murdering trade unionists in Colombia at a rate unparalleled in the world and on the dime of multinational corporations based in the United States.
Francisco Ramirez Cuellar, president of Sintraminercol, the Colombian mine workers union, and author of, "The Profits of Extermination, How U.S. Corporate Power is Destroying Colombia," told the Congressmen there is proof that Drummond Ltd., the Colombian subsidiary of Alabama-based Drummond Co., Inc., paid paramilitaries to kill three union officials at Drummond. And, he said, several other American companies, including Ohio-based Chiquita Brands International, have been involved in similar practices.
Dan Kovalik, a United Steelworkers' lawyer who has investigated paramilitaries since 2001, promised to provide the Congressmen with affidavits from witnesses testifying to the connections between Drummond Ltd. money, paramilitaries and the murder of three trade unionists employed by Drummond.
Maria McFarland Sanchez-Moreno, principal specialist on Colombia for Human Rights Watch, pleaded with the Congressional committee members to delay any action on the Bush Administration's proposed free trade agreement with Colombia until the country shows real progress in abating the murder of trade unionists and in punishing more than the current rate of 2 percent of the killers.
Another witness, Edwin Guzman, formerly a sergeant in the Colombian Army whose assignment at one point included patrolling a mine owned by Drummond, told the Congressmen from four committees and subcommittees that conducted the hearing that one way to suppress the violence is to forbid multinational corporations operating in Colombia to pay illegal groups, such as the paramilitaries.
The hearing, "Protection and Money: U.S. Companies, Their Employees, and Violence in Colombia," occurred just two weeks before the USW is scheduled to bring to trial in Alabama its civil case accusing Drummond of using paramilitaries to kill three trade unionists. The hearing comes two months after Chiquita Brands International, the Ohio banana company, admitted paying $1.7 million to paramilitary death squads in Colombia.
Guzman, who had to flee Colombia because his life was threatened after he began testifying there about the connection among Drummond, the Colombian military and illegal paramilitaries, told the Congressmen that Drummond gave the paramilitaries vehicles to patrol the company's coal property. In addition, Guzman testified, part of his training in the army was to kill trade unionists "legally or illegally."
McFarland Sanchez-Moreno provided statistics backing up Guzman's testimony. She said Colombia has the highest rate of violence against trade unionists in the world. Labor rights groups have documented 2,515 killings of trade unionists in Colombia since 1986, approximately 120 a year. That is one every three days, as Cuellar, put it. Ten of his close friends have been killed, he said, and seven attempts have been made on his life in the past 16 years.
Fightback News.Org further adds to these allegations, writing
Birmingham, AL - In northwestern Colombia in 2001, the president and vice president of the mining union Sintramienergetica were taken off a Drummond bus and shot to death by paramilitary death squads hired by the corporation. Later that year, paramilitaries also killed the new president. These men were all killed during negotiations with Drummond.
The miners union and the International Labor Relief Fund filed a civil suit against Drummond in 2002. Despite the court case, even more Drummond workers have since been threatened and murdered by paramilitaries. The civil suit was going to start on July 9 in Birmingham, Alabama. But on June 20 Bush-appointed judge Karen Bowdry ruled that Drummond will not have to stand trial on ‘wrongful death’ charges, even though there are numerous Colombian citizens willing to testify that Drummond paid right-wing death squads to kill union organizers. "Drummond, which made $2 billion last year strip mining coal in Colombia, is an Alabama firm, owned by Republicans, being tried in a Republican court," explains Birmingham community activist Reverend Jack Zylman.
At the trial multiple witnesses were scheduled to testify that Drummond made regular payments to the U.S. government-sponsored death squads, and a paramilitary officer was going to testify to being hired to ‘neutralize’ union leadership.
Peace and student groups are organizing a demonstration for what would have been first day of the trial on July 9 at the federal courts building in Birmingham. This case brings further national and international attention to the crimes of U.S. corporations in Colombia and to the role of U.S. sponsored death squads. Chapin Gray of Tuscaloosa Students for a Democratic Society explains, "Corporations should not be allowed to literally get away with murder. Period. When Colombians try to improve their working conditions, they are killed so that big corporations like Drummond can continue raking-in high profits. We want to bring attention to these charges so that more people will realize what is going on, will see the ties between the U.S. government, the Uribe administration and the paramilitaries, and to demand that those ties be severed. We want Drummond to know that we’re watching them. We want justice."
The Miami Herald has provided details on the operations of the death squads in Columbia. According to Congressional witness Edwin Guzmán, described as a "plump, one-time Colombian army sergeant turned paramilitary foot soldier,"
Guzmán told The Miami Herald that during his 18 years with the military, his units were frequently ordered by their superiors to run interference for the paramilitaries when they ''raked'' so-called ``guerrilla villages.''
''We walked in through the part of the village that was most visible where everyone saw us,'' he explained of his time in a unit in the banana-growing region along the Panamanian border where Chiquita had part of its operations.
'The paramilitaries entered through a less visible section. We pressured one side, and the people didn't have anywhere to run except where the paramilitaries were. They took advantage of this to apply their `justice.' ''
Guzmán said military units were present when paramilitaries massacred villagers and burned houses with entire families trapped inside, but added his units didn't have authorization to intervene.
In late 2000, then-Sgt. Guzmán said he led a military unit on and around the Drummond property in northeastern Colombia as part of a military battalion whose job it was to secure national interests like the company's coal mines.
When he tried to ambush the paramilitaries, Guzmán said, a Drummond official intercepted him. The next day, Guzmán said he was relieved of his command.
Looking further at the Drummond Company and its political ties to the Republican Party, I found the following, all of which shows that Drummond has been a steady and reliable supporter of the Republican Party, a party which has undoubtedly looked the other way at the atrocities enabled by this company:
JASPER, AL Political Contributions by Individuals
Important note: This list is based on the data made publicly available by the Federal Election Commission. City-Data.com has made no additional attempt to verify the accuracy or validity of the names on this list and it cannot individually remove or update any of the information. Please direct any inquiries or corrections to the FEC. City-Data.com will periodically update this list based on the data made available by the FEC. Note that it is possible for multiple persons to share the same name. Unintentional errors are possible. Do not use for any purpose before consulting official data provided by the FEC.
THESE INDIVIDUAL NAMES ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY COMMERCIAL PURPOSES OR TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS BY LAW.
Drummond, E.A. Mr. (Drummond Company Inc./Executive), (Zip code: 35504) $15000 to REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE on 04/30/03
Drummond, E. A. Mr. (Drummond Company Inc./Executive), (Zip code: 35504) $15000 to REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE on 04/07/04
Drummond, E.A. MR. (Drummond Coal Company/Executive), (Zip code: 35502) $1000 to ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY on 06/23/03
Drummond, E.A. (Drummond Coal Company/Executive), (Zip code: 35502) $1000 to ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY on 11/24/03
Drummond, E.A. (Drummond Coal Company/Executive), (Zip code: 35502) $500 to ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY on 01/21/04
Drummond, E.A. MR. (Drummond Coal Company/Executive), (Zip code: 35502) $250 to ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY on 02/27/04
Drummond, John H. SR (Drummond Co. Inc./V.P.), (Zip code: 35501) $250 to ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY on 02/27/04
Drumond, Edward A Mr. (Drummond Co. Inc./Executive), (Zip code: 35504) $250 to NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE on 06/17/03
Drummond, Garry N. Mr. (Drummond Company Inc./Chairman & Ch), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to COALPAC A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION on 09/25/03
Drummond, E. A. Mr. (Drummond Company Inc./Vice Chairman), (Zip code: 35504) $2000 to COALPAC A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION on 09/25/03
Hudson, Travis Mr. II (Nelson Brothers Inc./Director Natio), (Zip code: 35503) $2500 to COALPAC A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION on 06/10/04
Drummond, Garry N. Mr. (Drummond Company Inc./Chairman & Ch), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to COALPAC A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION on 09/13/04
Drummond, E. A. Mr. (Drummond Company Inc./Vice Chairman), (Zip code: 35504) $2000 to COALPAC A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION on 09/13/04
Engel, Joe Mr. (Retired/Investments), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to AMERICANS FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT INC on 05/29/03
Drummond, Donald D. (Drummond Company Inc./Sr. Executive), (Zip code: 35501) $5000 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 09/18/03
Drummond, E. A. (Drummond Company Inc./Chairman of t), (Zip code: 35501) $5000 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 09/11/03
Drummond, John H. (Drummond Company Inc./Executive Vic), (Zip code: 35501) $5000 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 09/11/03
Drummond, Segal (Drummond Company Inc./Sr. Exec. Vic), (Zip code: 35501) $5000 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 09/11/03
Thorne, Barbara D. (None/Shareholder of Drummond Compan), (Zip code: 35502) $5000 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 09/18/03
Black, Clyde C. Mr. (Drummond Company Inc./Secretary of), (Zip code: 35501) $300 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 01/16/04
Drummond, Donald D. (Drummond Company Inc./Sr. Executive), (Zip code: 35501) $5000 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 01/16/04
Drummond, E. A. (Drummond Company Inc./Chairman of t), (Zip code: 35501) $5000 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 01/16/04
Drummond, John H. (Drummond Company Inc./Executive Vic), (Zip code: 35501) $5000 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 01/16/04
Drummond, Segal (Drummond Company Inc./Sr. Exec. Vic), (Zip code: 35501) $5000 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 01/16/04
Thorne, Barbara D. (None/Shareholder of Drummond Compan), (Zip code: 35502) $5000 to DRUMMOND COMPANY INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DPAC) on 01/16/04
DRUMMOND, GARRY N (THE DRUMMOND COMPANY), (Zip code: 35501) $2000 to SHELBY FOR U S SENATE on 04/30/03
DRUMMOND, DONALD D (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC), (Zip code: 35501) $2000 to SHELBY FOR U S SENATE on 09/23/03
DRUMMOND, E A (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to SHELBY FOR U S SENATE on 09/23/03
DRUMMOND, GARRY N (THE DRUMMOND COMPANY), (Zip code: 35501) $2000 to SHELBY FOR U S SENATE on 09/23/03
DRUMMOND, JOHN J (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to SHELBY FOR U S SENATE on 09/23/03
DRUMMOND, SEGAL (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC), (Zip code: 35501) $2000 to SHELBY FOR U S SENATE on 09/23/03
Drummond, Larry (Drummond Co./Executive), (Zip code: 35501) $2000 to BACHUS FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE on 01/28/04
Mitnick, J. (self/Retired), (Zip code: 35501) $1000 to BACHUS FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE on 03/08/04
Drummond, John (Drummond Company Inc./Executive), (Zip code: 35504) $2000 to BACHUS FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE on 04/14/04
Drummond, Donald (Drummond Company), (Zip code: 35502) $1000 to TERRY EVERETT FOR CONGRESS on 08/11/03
Drummond, E. A. (Drummond Company), (Zip code: 35504) $1000 to TERRY EVERETT FOR CONGRESS on 08/11/03
Drummond, Garry (Drummond Company), (Zip code: 35501) $1000 to TERRY EVERETT FOR CONGRESS on 08/11/03
Drummond, John (Drummond Company), (Zip code: 35501) $1000 to TERRY EVERETT FOR CONGRESS on 08/11/03
Drummond, Segal (Drummond Company), (Zip code: 35504) $1000 to TERRY EVERETT FOR CONGRESS on 08/11/03
DRUMMOND, ELBERT* (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./DIRECTOR CHAI), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to MIKE ROGERS FOR CONGRESS on 08/19/03
DRUMMOND, ELBERT* (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./DIRECTOR CHAI), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to MIKE ROGERS FOR CONGRESS on 03/09/04
ENGEL, ALAN* (SELF-EMPLOYED/DEVELOPER), (Zip code: 35502) $1000 to MIKE ROGERS FOR CONGRESS on 03/01/04
DRUMMOND, GARRY* (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./CEO), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to MIKE ROGERS FOR CONGRESS on 05/11/04
DRUMMOND, JOHN* (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./EXECUTIVE VIC), (Zip code: 35501) $2000 to MIKE ROGERS FOR CONGRESS on 05/11/04
DRUMMOND, DONALD* (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./DIRECTOR SR.), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to MIKE ROGERS FOR CONGRESS on 06/01/04
DRUMMOND, SEGAL* (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./DIRECTOR SR.), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to MIKE ROGERS FOR CONGRESS on 06/01/04
Drummond, Larry (Drummond Company/Executive), (Zip code: 35504) $2000 to JO BONNER FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE on 08/01/03
Drummond, Garry (Drummond Company/Executive), (Zip code: 35501) $1000 to JO BONNER FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE on 02/12/04
DRUMMOND, E A MR (DRUMMOND COMPANY), (Zip code: 35504) $2000 to GEORGIANS FOR ISAKSON on 01/31/03
DRUMMOND, ELBERT A. MR. (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./DIRECTOR/CHAI), (Zip code: 35504) $2000 to BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 08/08/03
BARBER, GEORGE E. MR. (TAFT COAL SALES & ASSOCIATES/PRESID), (Zip code: 35504) $2000 to BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 10/31/03
BLACK, CLYDE C. MR. (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./ASSISTANT TRE), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 10/31/03
DRUMMOND, DONALD D. MR. (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./DIRECTOR & SR), (Zip code: 35504) $2000 to BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 10/31/03
DRUMMOND, GARRY N. MR. (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./PRESIDENT), (Zip code: 35502) $2000 to BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 10/31/03
DRUMMOND, JOHN HOWARD MR. (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./VICE PRESIDEN), (Zip code: 35504) $2000 to BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 10/31/03
DRUMMOND, E. A MR. (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./DIRECTOR/CHAI), (Zip code: 35504) $1000 to BUSH-CHENEY '04 COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE INC. on 09/16/04
DRUMMOND, ELBERT A MR. (DRUMMOND COMPANY INC./DIRECTOR/CHAI), (Zip code: 35504) $1000 to BUSH-CHENEY '04 COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE INC. on 10/12/04
Also, Campaign Money Dot Com
shows that Drummond gave $2,200 on 01/23/2007 to the REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE - REPUBLICAN
Company Chairman Garry Drummond has been described as "a powerful behind-the-scenes power broker in Alabama and a major contributor to political candidates and to the president of the Alabama Public Service Commission which regulates the utility industry. He was recently inducted into the University of Alabama business school hall of fame and is a trustee emeritus of UA."
He is also a GOP fundraiser, and, it appears, a human rights abuser. In the fair America of my childhood imagination, he would be prosecuted. In George Bush's America, he gets to hobnob with the powers that be.
In reading these reports, I am reminded of the bad days of the Reagan Administration and of the Republicans' support for repressive, anti-labor, quasi-fascistic regimes all throughout Latin America, and of apologists for torture like Jean Kirkpatrick, Elliot Abrams and John Negroponte. That some of these authoritarian apologists have been a part of Bush's regime is no surprise. Their way has become the Republican way. May their horrible party be flung into the dustbin of history where it belongs, along with the blood money of the likes of Garry Drummond