KIDNAPPING OF ANOTHER PIPELINE COMRADE
--------------------------------------
We had still not recovered from the assassinations of Aury Sara and
Rafael Jaimes, and the kidnapping of Gilberto Torres, when during the
night hours of Tuesday 30th July our comrade GONZALO RAMÍREZ TRIANA, a
member of the pipeline section of the union, was kidnapped by a group of
unknown persons on his way from Villeta [Pumping] Station to his place
of residence.

Comrade RAMÍREZ TRIANA has worked for the state oil corporation
Ecopetrol for 31 years. He is 57 years old, and is married with three
children. His current position within Ecopetrol is an Operator of Fluid
Transport. He has been a distinguished member of our union.

Besides rejecting and condemning this atrocious kidnapping USO demand of
his captors that they immediately return Gonzalo safe and sound
immediately to his home. We vehemently oppose this inhumane practice,
that has been imposed on the social organisations of Colombia and of
which USO has newly become a victim. With all our moral authority we
insist that the way out of the current conflict in Colombia is not
through war but through a negotiated political solution. We insist on
respect for the right to life, and on democratic and trade union
freedoms. The use of dialogue as the method to settle our controversies
would be welcomed by the whole of Colombian society.

We demand of the civilian and military authorities that they guarantee
the immediate return of Gonzalo safe and sound. We call on the national
and international community, non-governmental organisations and trade
unions to mobilise the fullest solidarity for USO.

We express our message of solidarity and support to Gonzalo's wife,
children and other family members at this time.

NATIONAL COMMITTEE
USO, OIL INDUSTRY UNITED WORKERS UNION
Barrancabermeja, 1st August 2002


RECOMMENDED ACTION - SEND PROTESTS / ENVIAR MENSAJES
----------------------------------------------------
Your message should urge the Colombian authorities to ascertain
Gonzalo's whereabouts and negotiate his release.

Noting the shocking fact that over 100 trade unionists have been
assassinated in Colombia this year, and that those responsible for the
assassinations and kidnappings have not been brought to justice.

ANDRES PASTRANA ARANGO Presidente de Colombia
E-mail,  rdh@presidencia.gov.co

ANGELINO GARZON Ministro de Trabajo - Colombia
E-mail,  despachomt@mintrabajo.gov.co

FOR THOSE IN THE UK:
The British Foreign Office:
E-mail: Dennis Macshane:  macshaned@parliament.uk
Jeremy Hobbs:  jeremy.hobbs@fco.gov.uk
Jack McIver:  Jack.McIver@fco.gov.uk

His Excellency Dr Victor G Ricardo, Embassy of Colombia, Flat 3a, 3 Hans
Crescent, London SW1X OLN. Fax: 020 7581 1829
Email:  mail@colombianembassy.co.

with copies to:
USO ;
CUT ;
Colombia Solidarity Campaign ;
National and International Campaign Against Privatisation, Corruption
and the Criminalisation of Social Protest

JOIN PICKET
-----------
5pm-7pm Wednesday 7th August
Colombian Embassy, 3 Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge (back of Harrods),
London SW1

called by Colombia Solidarity Campaign, Colombian Refugee Association
and LASO Collective and US intervention in Colombia
on the day that Uribe Velez is installed as Colombia's new President.