DATE=8/25/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=U-S-LATAM-COLOMBIA
NUMBER=5-44130
BYLINE=BILL RODGERS
DATELINE=BRASILIA
CONTENT=
INTRO: U-S drug czar Barry McCaffrey is visiting
several South American nations this week to discuss
increased cooperation in the fight against drugs, but
also to outline U-S concerns over the situation in
Colombia. VOA's Bill Rodgers has more from the
Brazilian capital - which was Mr. McCaffrey's first
stop Monday in his four-nation swing.
Text: The Clinton Administration and the Congress have
turned their attention to Colombia - under siege by
leftist rebels and rightwing paramilitary groups, all
of which have ties to drug traffickers. The situation -
where the rebels control 40 percent of Colombia's
territory and the paramilitaries another 15 percent -
has Washington worried about the future of Colombia's
democracy and the stability of the region.
U-S drug policy director Barry McCaffrey sounded the
alarm bells last month - warning that these groups
represent a growing menace because of the huge amounts
of money they receive from the drug trade. Speaking in
Bogota and later at a congressional hearing, Mr.
McCaffrey said the protection provided to drug cartels
by the rebels and paramilitaries has contributed to an
increase in drug production and trafficking.
It is a warning he is making again this week as he
meets with top officials in four South American
nations. Speaking to several American reporters at the
end of his visit to Brazil Monday, Mr. McCaffrey said
he will discuss Washington's concerns about the
Colombian situation.
///McCAFFREY ACT///
Part of my purpose is going to be to share our own
impressions of what's going on in Colombia, and to note
that the solution is not a narrow one - it's not simply
enhanced aid to the police or the armed forces but that
indeed that it involves broad based approach of support
for the judicial system, the economy, alternative
economic development and indeed we have argued that it
is not just a Colombian problem, but a regional
problem.
/END ACT//
The Clinton Administration and Congress are discussing
a substantial increase in security assistance to
Colombia - which already is the third-largest recipient
of U-S aid in the world after Israel and Egypt. There
are proposals to raise the current 289 million dollars
in aid to over a billion dollars - money that would be
used in large part to help train and equip new anti-
drug units in the Colombian army.
While not citing any figures, Mr. McCaffrey says
various assistance proposals will be examined in
Washington later this year after the Colombian
government outlines its own needs. But the U-S drug
czar says whatever proposal is adopted must go beyond
simply providing equipment to Colombian security
forces.
///McCAFFREY ACT///
I hope by Christmas we all have a better idea of
how to
stand with an endangered democratic partner. But
I don't
think we know yet what is the right answer. For
sure, it
isn't ten helicopters to the police...we have to
get more
serious about this. This is a giant nation of 37
million
people being menaced by 25-thousand people with
automatic
weapons, 120 millimeter mortars and they're
conducting
nationwide attacks. It's a dangerous situation.
/// END ACT ///
Similar comments by Mr. McCaffrey in the past have
fueled concern in Latin America that the United States
is preparing to intervene militarily in Colombia. But
the U-S drug czar and other top U-S officials have
categorically ruled this out. Colombian President
Andres Pastrana has also rejected the notion.
Still, his trip to Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Argentina
this week is viewed by many as a prelude to a shift in
U-S policy toward Colombia and the region. What
remains to be seen is how the views of the leaders Mr.
McCaffrey meets with will shape the new American
policy. (Signed)
NEB/WFR/KL
25-Aug-1999 08:48 AM EDT (25-Aug-1999 1248 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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