DATE=10/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-240852
TITLE=U-S/COLOMBIA TALKS (L-UPDATE)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ANDRES PASTRANA
ARE DECLARING A NEW ERA IN BILATERAL RELATIONS AFTER WHITE HOUSE
TALKS WEDNESDAY. IT WAS THE FIRST STATE VISIT BY A COLOMBIAN
LEADER IN 23 YEARS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE
HOUSE.
TEXT: RELATIONS HAD HIT ROCK-BOTTOM A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN MR.
PASTRANA'S PREDECESSOR -- FORMER PRESIDENT ERNESTO SAMPER -- WAS
BARRED FROM THE UNITED STATES FOR ALLEGED LINKS WITH DRUG
TRAFFICKERS.
BUT PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS EFFUSIVE IN HIS PRAISE FOR THE
ANTI-DRUG STEPS MR. PASTRANA HAS TAKEN SINCE ASSUMING OFFICE IN
AUGUST. AND, AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE, HE PLEDGED FULL SUPPORT
FOR THE NEW PRESIDENT'S INITATIVE TO END COLOMBIA'S LONG-RUNNING
LEFTWING INSURGENCY:
///CLINTON ACTUALITY///
PRESIDENT PASTRANA HAS THE WILL, THE COURAGE, AND THE
SUPPORT OF HIS PEOPLE TO BUILD PEACE. I WELCOME HIS
EFFORTS TO OPEN TALKS WITH INSURGENT GROUPS. WE STAND
READY TO HELP. WE HOPE THE INSURGENTS AND PARAMILITARIES
WILL SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY THE PRESIDENT HAS OFFERED
THEM BY ENDING TERRORISM, AND HOSTAGE-TAKING AND
INVOLVEMENT WITH DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
///END ACT///
PRESIDENT PASTRANA'S DECISION TO EMPHASIZE THE INSURGENCY OVER
THE DRUG PROBLEM HAS CAUSED SOME MISGIVINGS IN THE U-S CONGRESS
-- ESPECIALLY HIS PLAN TO REMOVE SECURITY FORCES FROM AN AREA OF
THE COLOMBIAN INTERIOR THE SIZE OF SWITZERLAND TO CREATE A SAFE
ZONE FOR HOLDING TALKS WITH GUERRILLAS NEXT MONTH.
BUT AT THE FORMAL WELCOMING CEREMONY HERE, MR. PASTRANA INSISTED
HE HAD NO INTENTION OF ALLOWING THE AREA TO BECOME A
SAFE-HAVEN FOR THE DRUG GANGS:
///PASTRANA ACTUALITY///
WE HAVE BEGUN A PROCESS OF PEACE -- NOT TO CEDE ANY OF
OUR TERRITORY AND NOT EVER TO CONCEDE ANY SANCTUARY TO
DRUGS, BUT TO DEAL WITH THE CAUSES OF THE CONFLICT AND
RESTORE THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PROMISE OF PROGRESS
EVERYWHERE IN OUR COUNTRY. LET THERE BE NO DOUBT.
THOUSANDS OF MY COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN HAVE GIVEN THEIR
LIVES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING. THE ONLY
PEACE TREATY ACCEPTABLE TO ME AND THE COLOMBIAN NATION
IS ONE THAT STRENGTHENS OUR ABILITY TO RID COLOMBIA OF
COCAINE PRODUCTION.
///END ACT///
THE TWO LEADERS SIGNED AN ACCORD FOR A JOINT ALLIANCE AGAINST
DRUGS COMMITTING THE NATIONS TO COMBAT BOTH DRUG TRAFFICKING AND
CONSUMPTION. MR. CLINTON SAID COLOMBIA IS IN LINE FOR 280
MILLION DOLLARS IN U-S AID THIS COMING YEAR TO FIGHT TRAFFICKERS
AND BOOST THE COUNTRY'S TROUBLED ECONOMY.
THE AID, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF U-S BLACKHAWK HELICOPTERS,
MOVES COLOMBIA UP TO THIRD ON THE LIST -- BEHIND ISRAEL AND EGYPT
-- OF THE LARGEST RECIPIENTS OF U-S AID. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/WDC/WFR
28-Oct-98 5:24 PM EST (2224 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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