DATE=1/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ALBRIGHT / COLOMBIA (L)
NUMBER=2-258096
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says it will
take hard work and determination to implement Colombian
President Andres Pastrana's plan to fight drug traffickers
and revive his country's economy. The Secretary made the
comments in the Colombian port city of Cartagena, where she
has been meeting with Mr. Pastrana. V-O-A's Kyle King has
this report.
TEXT: Secretary of State Albright's visit comes just two
days after the Clinton Administration announced plans for a
one-point-six-billion-dollar aid program that focuses
mostly on counter-narcotics efforts.
Senior officials traveling with the Secretary say she hopes
to use the trip to plant the seeds for a cooperative
U-S - Colombian relationship that will continue after
President Clinton leaves office (next year).
Speaking to reporters before beginning her talks with
President Pastrana, Secretary Albright expressed support
for his so-called "Plan Colombia."
The program aims to simultaneously negotiate an end to the
country's guerrilla war, fight narcotics traffickers and
revive the economy.
/// 1ST ALBRIGHT ACT ///
We are very impressed with "Plan Colombia," because
it is a comprehensive plan in order to deal with
issues that are so important for Colombia, not only
the issue of narco-trafficking but the peace process
and the economy and helping the social situation. So
it is a comprehensive plan that President Pastrana
has designed that we want to support.
/// END ACT ///
Ms. Albright and Mr. Pastrana are also expected to discuss
how U-S foreign aid will be used to support the Colombian
leader's program.
Most of the aid package will go for the purchase of
military helicopters and equipment, as well as the training
of two additional anti-drug battalions.
Critics of the plan say the massive increase in U-S aid and
its focus on military training and equipment will fuel the
country's three-decades-old guerrilla war.
The government and the country's main guerrilla group
resumed talks this week, with some rebel leaders expressing
optimism.
Secretary of State Albright, citing the success of
neighboring Peru and Bolivia says the Colombian
government's program can work, but it will not be easy.
/// 2ND ALBRIGHT ACT ///
We do know that various plans in neighboring
countries have in fact cut the production and the
growth [of narcotics crops] by huge percentages, and
we believe that if followed through with the
determination that has been shown already and needs
to be pursued, that this is how success is achieved,
but it clearly takes hard work and determination.
/// END ACT ///
Over the last decade, drug production in Colombia has more
than doubled. Traffickers have benefited from the
countries civil strife. Meanwhile, the economy has been
reeling from a recession.
Secretary of State Albright, who holds another round of
talks today (Saturday) before departing for Panama and
Mexico, says she also wants to discuss how other countries
can help in Colombia's recovery. (Signed)
NEB/KBK/WTW
14-Jan-2000 23:25 PM EDT (15-Jan-2000 0425 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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