31.   ---- COLOMBIA PULLOUT - The Colombian military has pulled out a group of unarmed soldiers fulfilling a rebel demand ahead of planned peace talks in January.

32.   About three-fourths of the aid is for the Colombian military, which human rights groups accuse of supporting paramilitary groups that have committed widespread massacres.

33.   Aid to Colombia is intended primarily to help the Colombian military take control of cocaine-producing regions held by leftist guerrillas and some right-wing paramilitaries.

34.   Among outstanding concerns is that the Colombian military has not severed its links to the AUC.

35.   Although the rebels are known to have links with drug trafficking, the United States has been reluctant to help the Colombian military because of human rights issues.

36.   America should provide more battle helicopters and training for Colombian military and police units, he said.

37.   Both the U.S. State Department and the United Nations have criticized the human rights record of the Colombian military.

38.   But some analysts believe the Colombian military may use their paramilitary allies during the offensive, thus possibly indirectly linking the U.S. aid to human rights abuses.

39.   But some critics have said the aid, including helicopters and troop training, is skewed toward the Colombian military, leaving police forces increasingly vulnerable.

40.   But the Colombian military has moved hundreds of soldiers into the area and has clashed with ELN units.