DATE=7/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COLOMBIA-PLANE-DRUGS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252178
BYLINE=BILL RODGERS
DATELINE=BOGOTA
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:
INTRO: Rescue workers in Colombia have been hampered by
the weather in determining whether plane wreckage
spotted in the Colombian jungle belongs to a U-S
military aircraft that disappeared Friday during an
anti-drug mission. As VOA's Bill Rodgers reports from
Bogota, the effort continued as the head of the U-S
drug policy office met Monday with top Colombian
officials to discuss the drug war.
TEXT: U-S military authorities say rescue workers are
waiting for better weather before trying to land in an
area of southern Colombia near the Ecuadoran border
where the wreckage of a plane was spotted Sunday. More
than a dozen military aircraft have been deployed in
the search for the U-S military plane that disappeared
Friday during an anti-drug mission. The plane was
carrying five American soldiers and two Colombian
military officers.
As the effort continued, the head of the U-S drug
control policy office, Barry McCaffrey, told reporters
in Bogota he fears those on board the missing plane are
dead.
/// McCaffrey Act ///
It's premature to have any findings or conclusions
about this flight until Colombian police forces
are at the crash sight. (But) many of us fear that
five brave young U-S army aviators and two
Colombian air force officers have lost their lives
flying a counter-drug mission.
/// End Act ///
Mr. McCaffrey, a retired U-S army general, spoke Monday
after meeting with Colombian President Andres Pastrana
to discuss the joint U-S and Colombian anti-drug
effort. The United States is providing 289 million
dollars to help Colombia halt drug trafficking and
cultivation - but there are proposals to raise this
figure even higher.
Colombia is embroiled in a war against leftist
guerrillas, many of whom also have ties to drug
smugglers. In recent weeks, the fighting has escalated
as a peace process between the government and the
country's main rebel group has stalled.
Mr. McCaffrey said Washington is studying various
proposals - including a Colombian request for a half a
billion dollar military aid package - a Congressional
move to increase aid to almost one billion dollars, and
a wider initiative proposed by his office. The U-S
drug policy official said what is clear is that
Washington is concerned about the situation in
Colombia.
///McCaffrey Act///
What is not open to debate is that the U-S has
enormous national self-interest involved in the
freedom and economic vitality of 37 million
Colombians. So in our own view we need to listen
very carefully to the regional leadership and
where it seems sensible provide resources, and
training and equipment to support their efforts.
///End Act///
Mr. McCaffrey's two-day stay in Colombia is the first
stop in a trip to the region, which includes visits
later this week to Ecuador and Curacao. (Signed)
NEB/BR/TVM/PT
26-Jul-1999 18:43 PM LOC (26-Jul-1999 2243 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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