ASSOCIATED PRESS Saturday, 1 August 1998 Army Suspected in Colombia Massacre ----------------------------------- BOGOTA -- Ten soldiers are being investigated in connection with a massacre in central Colombia carried out by paramilitary gunmen. Nine soldiers allegedly waved the gunmen through an army checkpoint on their way to and from the killings and at least one may have participated in the attack. The investigation by representatives of the Attorney General's office and Federal Prosecutor's office was announced Friday. The incident occurred May 16 in Barrancabermeja, 165 miles northeast of the capital, Bogota, when 50 right-wing paramilitary gunmen stormed into a residential neighborhood and killed seven people. The Self-Defense Forces of Santander and Southern Cesar, which claimed responsibility for the attack, said it kidnapped 25 others, then executed them for alleged rebel activity. The group says it incinerated the bodies, which have never been found. Witnesses said soldiers waved the paramilitary fighters through army roadblocks while entering and leaving the city on the night of the massacre. General Mario Hugo Galan, the army commander, denied the soldiers were involved. The massacre and similar attacks earlier this year heightened concern about the growth of the paramilitary groups, which enjoy the tacit support of the armed forces. Last week, paramilitary leaders said they wanted to participate in peace talks with president-elect Andres Pastrana. Pastrana, who takes office August 7, has agreed to begin negotiations with the guerrillas. Several rebel groups have been battling the government for more than 30 years. Rebels and paramilitary groups seldom clash, instead targeting civilians believed sympathetic to the other side. Copyright 1998 Associated Press

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