Colombia-Election Scandal
6-29-1994
^New Tape Further Ties President-Elect to Drug Traffickers
^By ANDREW SELSKY
^Associated Press Writer
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) _ A second tape allegedly linking Colombia's president-elect to the Cali cocaine cartel is bolstering claims that drug traffickers helped fund his campaign.
The tape, which indicates Ernesto Samper's presidential campaign received drug money, is likely to elicit a strong reaction from Washington, which has already said Colombian-U.S. relations are endangered by claims Samper is linked to the cartel.
A tape leaked to the media last week was identified by authorities as a recording of Cali cartel kingpins discussing donating millions of dollars to Samper's campaign.
That tape set off a political storm and accusations that Samper used drug money to buy the presidency.
An anonymous group that claims Colombia is led by politicians corrupted by drug traffickers dropped the cassette off at a local TV station on Tuesday.
Samper, the candidate of the ruling Liberal Party, won the May 19 elections by less than 2 percent of the vote. He has denied receiving drug money.
The voices on the second tape have not been identified by officials. But journalists said they recognize them as those of Cali cartel boss Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela and Alberto Giraldo, a journalist linked to the cartel - the same voices authorities verified as those on the first tape.
In the second tape, a voice identified as Giraldo says he is about to meet Samper's campaign treasurer.
"They are counting on the money today," the voice says.
"We have already sent four, haven't we" says the voice identified as Rodriguez. Journalists say he is apparently referring to four billion Colombian pesos, or $5 million.
"Yes, four," says the first man. "This Samper is trying to show he's a good friend," he adds later.
The voice identified as Rodriguez then says he hopes Samper doesn't forget he owes favors.
The tape has been turned over to the Prosecutor General's Office, which is investigating the case.
The scandal prompted an outcry from Samper's election opponent, Andres Pastrana of the Conservative Party. But many Colombians have closed ranks to protect Colombia's image. Major newspaper columnists have attacked Pastrana and the foreign press for focusing on the case.
^New Tape Further Ties President-Elect to Drug Traffickers
^By ANDREW SELSKY
^Associated Press Writer
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) _ A second tape allegedly linking Colombia's president-elect to the Cali cocaine cartel is bolstering claims that drug traffickers helped fund his campaign.
The tape, which indicates Ernesto Samper's presidential campaign received drug money, is likely to elicit a strong reaction from Washington, which has already said Colombian-U.S. relations are endangered by claims Samper is linked to the cartel.
A tape leaked to the media last week was identified by authorities as a recording of Cali cartel kingpins discussing donating millions of dollars to Samper's campaign.
That tape set off a political storm and accusations that Samper used drug money to buy the presidency.
An anonymous group that claims Colombia is led by politicians corrupted by drug traffickers dropped the cassette off at a local TV station on Tuesday.
Samper, the candidate of the ruling Liberal Party, won the May 19 elections by less than 2 percent of the vote. He has denied receiving drug money.
The voices on the second tape have not been identified by officials. But journalists said they recognize them as those of Cali cartel boss Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela and Alberto Giraldo, a journalist linked to the cartel - the same voices authorities verified as those on the first tape.
In the second tape, a voice identified as Giraldo says he is about to meet Samper's campaign treasurer.
"They are counting on the money today," the voice says.
"We have already sent four, haven't we" says the voice identified as Rodriguez. Journalists say he is apparently referring to four billion Colombian pesos, or $5 million.
"Yes, four," says the first man. "This Samper is trying to show he's a good friend," he adds later.
The voice identified as Rodriguez then says he hopes Samper doesn't forget he owes favors.
The tape has been turned over to the Prosecutor General's Office, which is investigating the case.
The scandal prompted an outcry from Samper's election opponent, Andres Pastrana of the Conservative Party. But many Colombians have closed ranks to protect Colombia's image. Major newspaper columnists have attacked Pastrana and the foreign press for focusing on the case.
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