(British) Minister loses union's support over aid to Colombia

[Judi Lynn]

Minister loses union's support over aid to Colombia
Owen Bowcott guardian.co.uk, Wednesday March 12 2008

Foreign Office minister Kim Howells has lost the backing of a major union over his involvement in sending British military aid to Colombia.

Unite in Wales has urged members not to campaign for the south Wales ex-miner, after Andy Richards, regional secretary of the union travelled to Latin America last summer to investigate the killing of trade union activists.

The row over the Pontypridd MP's stance has escalated since he appeared in a photograph posted on the Foreign Office website last month with troops of the High Mountain Battalion of the Colombian army. The unit has been accused of killing trade unionists, peasants and anti-narcotics police.

Richards told the Guardian: "Kim has had support from our union at election times. We won't be supporting him in future.

"We can't support politicians who take this type of stance on the provision of military aid to Colombia where there have been numerous murders of trade unionists with impunity.

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/mar/12/foreignpolicy.tradeunions