Updated: Blood Money: Chiquita, Drummond coal and Coke death squads

Chiquita admits its company Banadex paid more than a million dollars to hire death squads in Colombia to kill thousands of human rights activists, union organizers and farmers.

Chiquita is the successor to the notorious human rights violator United Fruit Company. It comes as no surprise that the Zapata Corporation, an oil company created by H.W. Bush, acquired the controlling interest of United Fruit in 1969.

Now, AP reports that Colombia wants eight Chiquita officials extradited. Further, Drummond Coal, with Israel its primary customer, is now under investigation and linked to those death squads. Drummond has denied it. With kickbacks to the Bush administration and Colombia's president, Chiquita and other corporations have escaped responsibility until now.

Coal shipments carried cocaine:

“The paramilitary has secret employees at Drummond’s La Loma coal mines,” continues Garcia in his private prison cubicle.“I can also tell you that there were two times that the paramilitary affixed shipments of cocaine to the bottom of the boats used by Drummond to send its coal to Europe, Israel, and the US,” offers Garcia.

Read more: http://www.latinamericanpost.com/index.php?mod=seccion&secc=1&conn=4584

But this isn't the first time Chiquita has avoided prosecution. As with the current case, in the year 2000 Chiquita placed the blame on a "recently acquired" company, entered into an agreement with the US government and avoided prosecution:

Justice Dept website: "For instance, a few years ago Chiquita Brand International disclosed to the government that a recently acquired subsidiary, John Morrell & Co. had been illegally dumping slaughterhouse waste into the Big Sioux River and falsifying its paperwork. In recognition of its disclosure and cooperation, Chiquita Brand was not prosecuted although the subsidiary and several of its officials were subsequently charged and convicted of Clean Water Act felonies."
Read more:
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/speech/ethics.htm

Narco News:

Chiquita paid a fine and wiped its hands of death squads:

..."None of the survivors of the AUC's crimes will ever see a penny of that money.
And even though top executives personally approved the payments to the AUC, none of them are facing a single day in jail.

A bitter irony for Arab-Americans locked away in federal prison in the name of the war on terror, whose crimes pale in comparison to Chiquita's: People like Dr.Rafil Dhafir an Iraqi-American who is serving 22 years in prison -- not for giving money to terrorists, but for sending food, medicine, and blankets to needy Iraqis in violation of U.S. sanctions. "

--Sean Donahue
http://www.narconews.com/

Now Colombia is investigating whether Chiquita was involved in weapons shipments to death squads. In today's response to Los Angeles Times, Chiquita is now denying allegations it was involved in the shipment of weapons to paramilitary.

"Coca-Cola: Drink of the Death Squads"

(video)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HFZ3cH1UAI

Coca-Cola accused of hiring death squads to kill union members in Colombia:

http://www.colombiajournal.org/colombia73.htm


"When Corporations and Government Become One"

The Bush family and the architects of Nazism:
http://www.the-signal.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=47268&format=html

Colombian senators in prison; computer of paramilitary revealed the links

http://www.guardian.co.uk/colombia/story/0,,2043614,00.html

Native Roots CD Release Party

Native Roots “Celebrate” 3rd CD Release
Upcoming Double CD Release Celebration & Concert

March 25, 2007 (Albuquerque, NM) – Award winning Native American reggae band Native Roots, released their highly anticipated CD, appropriately titled “Celebrate” on Tuesday, March 20th. The release of “Celebrate” represents a new stage in Native Roots' musical evolution, one that brings together a unique genius of composition combined with soulful lyrics, Native American influence, world beats and a strong reggae foundation. Through diversified emotive songwriting and accomplished musical arrangement, the spotlight shines on “Celebrate”, solidifying Native Roots’ reputation as an innovative genre-blurring act. Internationally known for as an intense live act, previous performances include: Sundance Film Festival, SLC Winter Olympics, Bob Marley Music Festival, Kennedy Performing Arts Center, New Zealand and grassroots locations of “Native America”. “Celebrate” also features support vocals by Terra Moore, Karina Moeller & Phillip Blanchett of Pamyua (Alaska) and Soni Moreno of Ulali. First hits to be released from “Celebrate” are the empowering “Survive” and the irresistible “Gotta Know”.

Native Roots musicians are William Bluehouse Johnson-Lead Guitars (Isleta/Dine’), Karlo Johnson-Bass (Isleta/Dine’), Harrington Bembridge-Drums (Jamaica) and founding members John L. Williams (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Sioux) and Shkeme Garcia (Tamaya/Jemez) who add:

Williams: ““Celebrate” had been a long time in the making. During that time our experiences, artistic growth and meticulous production effort have resulted in our best work yet. Each song has it's own uniqueness and reflects the character of Native Roots. In addition, SOAR (Sound of America Records) did a great job mastering and packaging our CD. I look forward to sharing our music with all of our loyal fans as well as the people that will hear our music for the first time.”

Shkeme: “ Within “Celebrate”, you will notice important messages about empowerment, respect of all mankind and also just good times. All indigenous people share the same message of unity among all nations, respect for mother earth and brotherhood. “Celebrate” definitely possesses a message about healing the wounds of oppression, acknowledging the past but preparing the people for the future all with positivity and full on with reggae spirit. Native Roots’ music is a combination of acknowledgement of our ancestors and a continuation of the “One Love” message of brother Bob Marley whose music forever globally empowers.“

Radio play begins March 26th. On March 31st Native Roots launches support of “Celebrate” at a dual CD release party held at Santa Ana Star Casino, NM with special guest Seminole Tribe of Florida youth RC North who released his debut CD “Point of Reference” on March 15th at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL. A VIP invitation only celebration begins the night at 7 PM, during which Native Roots will share songs from the album and answer questions about their musical journey and making of the CD. At 8 PM doors open to the public for a concert by RC North and Native Roots. All ages are welcome and some lucky concert attendees will have the opportunity to win signed copies of “Celebrate”. Native Roots also looks forward to a possible 2008 Grammy submission. Show schedule, music, and videos available at http://www.nativeroots.net/ and www.myspace.com/nativerootslive. CD’s can be purchased through website, Hastings, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (Albq. NM) or Amazon.com.

Special thanks to the Seminole Tribe of Florida for their invaluable support of Native Roots and RC North!
Event: Double CD Release Celebration featuring Native Roots with special guest RC North
Date: March 31, 2007
Location: Santa Ana Star Casino Bosque Ballrooms, 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Road, Bernalillo, NM 87004 (505) 867-0000

8:00 - Doors Open to Public for Concert - Native Roots w/special guest RC North
High Resolution Photos and Interviews Available
Contact: Melissa L. Sanchez at 505 620 9539Email: http://us.f520.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=melissa@emergenceproductions.info http://www.emergenceproductions.info/ www.myspace.com/emergenceproductionslive

Native Roots invitation