[Cincinatus' Wife]

Government troops kill 20 paramilitary fighters in Colombia*** BOGOTA, Colombia - Hundreds of soldiers attacked a right-wing paramilitary force in central Colombia, killing and capturing dozens of fighters, the army reported Saturday. The ongoing combat in Antioquia province comes days after President Alvaro Uribe took power on promises to pacify illegal armed groups fighting in the nation's 38-year-old civil war. Army spokesman Capt. Jose Espejo said soldiers killed 20 members of the paramilitary's Metro Block and captured 17 others during fighting that began late Friday outside Segovia - 186 miles (300 kilometers) north of the capital, Bogota.

The paramilitary block - part of a nationwide force - is waging an illegal war against leftist insurgents in Medellin, Colombia's second-largest city, and throughout Antioquia province. Three soldiers were wounded in the fighting. The offensive may help ease concerns that the U.S.-backed military under the new president would give free rein to the paramilitaries. Human rights monitors have frequently criticized the military for collaborating with paramilitary forces, which last year were responsible for most of the massacres committed in Colombia. Uribe - a former Antioquia governor - also has been dogged by charges that he's tied to the paramilitaries.***

[hchutch]

I don't believe this.

I hope Uribe stops hunting the AUC and STARTS hunting FARC. Castano's a good guy, for cryin' out loud!