DATE=9/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-238914
TITLE=COLOMBIA PILOT (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A U-S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR IN A COLOMBIAN ARMY HELICOPTER
HAS BEEN WOUNDED BY GUNFIRE FROM LEFTIST GUERRILLAS, BUT HAS
RECOVERED. WE HAVE DETAILS FROM CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK IN OUR
SOUTH AMERICA BUREAU.
TEXT: THE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS OF THE COLOMBIAN ARMY, GENERAL
EUCLIDES SANCHEZ, SAYS U-S PILOT NILO BERNIER WAS SHOT WHILE
RESCUING A WOUNDED SOLDIER IN THE AREA OF URABA. THE INCIDENT
OCCURRED LAST MONTH BUT WAS NOT MADE PUBLIC UNTIL FRIDAY.
GENERAL SANCHEZ SAYS MR. BERNIER WAS TREATED AT A MILITARY
HOSPITAL IN BOGOTA AND IS OUT OF DANGER.
GENERAL SANCHEZ SAYS MR. BERNIER IS A CIVILIAN WHO HAS LIVED IN
COLOMBIA FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE GENERAL SAYS THAT THE ARMY'S
FLEDGLING AIR WING HAS HIRED CIVILIANS BECAUSE IT HAS A SHORTAGE
OF TRAINED PILOTS.
LOCAL MEDIA SAY MR. BERNIER IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST U-S
CIVILIAN WOUNDED BY GUNFIRE IN THREE DECADES OF GUERRILLA
WARFARE. COLOMBIAN POLICE SAY THREE U-S PILOTS HAVE BEEN KILLED
IN ACCIDENTS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS WHILE FLYING SPRAYING MISSIONS
TO ERADICATE COCA, THE RAW MATERIAL OF COCAINE. THE DRUG
TRAFFICKERS HAVE LINKS TO THE GUERRILLAS.
THE UNITED STATES SIGNED AN AGREEMENT FRIDAY IN BOGOTA TO GIVE
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COLOMBIA TO ENCOURAGE 300-THOUSAND
FAMILIES TO GROW LEGAL CROPS INSTEAD OF COCA. THE ASSISTANCE
WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE U-S AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
COLOMBIA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE EACH CONTRIBUTING 500-THOUSAND
DOLLARS TO THE PROJECT. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/WDC/KL
18-Sep-98 7:08 PM EDT (2308 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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