MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Democratic security is restoring Colombia's independence.

Colombian president Alvaro Uribe said Tuesday his “democratic security” policy, which includes escalated warfare against leftist rebels, is restoring to the nation the independence it lost to insurgency, corruption and poverty.

In a message to countrymen living abroad on the occasion of the 194th anniversary of Colombia's independence, Uribe said he wants Colombians who emigrate "to do so voluntarily and happily, without the bitterness of a nation stampeding away." According to the office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (ACNUR), over the past five years 81,921 Colombians requested political asylum in 23 countries, and 36,910 (45 percent) of them obtained it.

Legions of other Colombians emigrated in recent decades, however, and at present some 3 million are believed to be living abroad, for economic reasons as well as fear of violence.

Also Tuesday, Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Saenz called on leftist guerrilla groups and rightist paramilitaries to stop their violent actions and release all their hostages. The cardinal celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving in Bogota's cathedral which was attended by President Uribe, his Cabinet and other government officials, as well as lawmakers, judges and city authorities.

The prelate said everyone must contribute to building peace in Colombia, and he reiterated his call for illegal armed groups to do their share by putting an end to their violent activities and releasing the hundreds of hostages they now hold.

"We want wellbeing and peace for Colombia," and everyone must contribute to that end, Rubiano, who is the archbishop of Bogota, insisted.

Following the Mass, Uribe attended a military parade commemorating the nation's independence day in downtown Bogota under strict security measures.

Uribe, who on Tuesday opened a new legislative session, said in his message to emigrants that in many parts of the country the Colombian people lost "their freedom ... their independence and became victims" of armed groups.

The purpose of his administration's security policy is to "restore government rule," so that Colombians won't have to live subordinate to violent groups, but rather to democratic institutions.

"I want those who live abroad to no longer feel they have been driven out of Colombia, to feel they can return whenever they want," he said.

As a result of the country's breakdown, he continued, "the Colombian state wielded power in name more than in substance, and in many regions was barely a symbol, "as the real power was exerted by terrorists." As security is ensured and the state recovers its authority, citizens will regain confidence in government institutions and the nation will achieve reconciliation, Uribe concluded.