The True Story of Killing Pablo Offered at MIP TV - 01/10/2003

Contact: Kerri Tarmey, (212) 551-1504
Kerri.tarmey@aetn.com

FOR MIP TV 2003:


JOIN AETN INTERNATIONAL ON THE MANHUNT FOR ONE OF THE 20TH CENTURY¡¦S MOST NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS WITH

THE TRUE STORY OF KILLING PABLO

Docu-Movie Based Upon the Book by Mark Bowden


(Cannes) On December 2, 1993, cocaine cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar¡¦s life came to a violent end in a controversial killing on a rooftop in Medellin, Colombia. Escobar¡¦s death was the culmination of the largest manhunt in history, and put an end to the criminal empire that held a nation of thirty million hostage.

AETN International, the international sales arm of The History Channel and A&E Network, brings the compelling story of Pablo Escobar¡¦s life and death to television with The True Story of Killing Pablo (2 hrs.). Available for worldwide sale at MIP TV, the docu-movie is based upon the critically acclaimed book Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World¡¦s Greatest Outlaw by Mark Bowden, the best-selling author of Blackhawk Down. Bowden anchors the program and guides us through the pivotal moments of Escobar¡¦s life, sharing startling revelations he uncovered during the research for his book. The True Story of Killing Pablo premieres in the U.S. on The History Channel on Monday, March 24, 2003.

The True Story of Killing Pablo features interviews with some of the key officials of the Colombian and U.S. governments, as well as prominent figures from the police taskforce and vigilante militia that hunted Escobar down. Among those interviewed are Cesar Gaviria, former President of Colombia (1990-1994); Morris Busby, former U.S. Ambassador to Colombia; Francisco Santos, Vice President of Colombia; Colonel Hugo Martinez, Colombian Police General, retired; Javier Pena, agent, US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Joe Toft, US DEA, retired; Stephen Murphy, agent DEA, and the recently indicted Carlos Castano, leader of the right-wing AUC paramilitary army and regarded as the most feared man in Colombia today.

The True Story of Killing Pablo explores much of the controversy surrounding the United States¡¦ involvement in the manhunt for Pablo Escobar. A great deal of evidence indicates that the Colombian police were closely tied to a vigilante group called Los Pepes, who undertook a campaign of violence targeting anyone associated with Escobar, thereby crippling his empire. However, additional evidence suggests that U.S. intelligence provided information to the vigilantes and that members of Delta Force may have even been moonlighting as soldiers for the vigilantes.

Throughout the manhunt, Escobar remained hidden and safe until a phone call to his son allowed authorities to track him down to a house in Medellin. During the ensuing gunfight, Escobar was killed. The mystery surrounding the death of Pablo Escobar is also explored, including the possibility that he was not shot by Colombian police, but was rather executed by a Delta Force sniper.

Carl H. Lindahl is executive producer of The True Story of Killing Pablo for The History Channel. The True Story of Killing Pablo was produced for The History Channel by Wild Eyes Productions. David Keane is the executive producer.

At MIP TV 2003, AETN International is located at Stand G3-18.

AETN International markets the quality programming and proven success of The History Channel, A&E Network and The Biography Channel㤠overseas. With offices in New York and London, AETN International has increased the presence of AETN channels and branded blocks through innovative partnerships and affiliations. Overall, AETN channels and programs are now available in more than 70 countries worldwide throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia (including China and Japan).