DATE=3/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - COLOMBIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259930
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton says he believes Congress
will approve his request for one-point-six billion
dollars in aid to Colombia to fight drug trafficking
there - despite concerns among some lawmakers that the
plan could draw U-S troops into that country's long
and bloody civil war. Correspondent Deborah Tate
reports from the White House.
TEXT: Members of Congress in both political parties
have expressed serious doubts about the
administration's request for aid to Colombia - much of
which is to go toward providing training and equipment
to create new anti-drug battalions in the Colombian
army. They fear the plan would draw the United
States into a Vietnam-style quagmire.
But Mr. Clinton, in an appearance before reporters
Tuesday, dismissed such a comparison.
/// FIRST CLINTON ACTUALITY ///
All I can tell you is that it is not like
Vietnam in the sense that we are not making a
commitment to train soldiers in a way that we
will then be called upon and replace them or
fight with (alongside) them or work with them.
/// END ACT ///
Instead, Mr. Clinton says some of the funds will be
used to train soldiers to support police in counter-
narcotics operations. The president also addressed
lawmakers' concerns about allegations the Colombian
army has been involved in human rights abuses and has
been linked to paramilitary groups blamed for civilian
deaths and threats against human rights investigators.
Mr. Clinton says the Colombian security forces that
would receive U-S training would be vetted (checked)
to be sure they have not taken part in such abuses -
although he suggested such a system may not be
perfect.
/// SECOND CLINTON ACTUALITY ///
Can I tell you that there will never be a dollar
of this that will be spent in a way that I would
not want? No one can say that. But I can say
this: we are a lot better off trying to help
stabilize Colombia and save democracy there, and
help them fight narcotics there, and keep drugs
out of this country, than if we walk away from
it. I think the consequences if we just walk
away are pretty clear, and if we help them, we
just might make it and turn the situation
around.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Clinton believes that ultimately Congress will
back his aid package.
The administration plan is aimed at curbing the rising
production of cocaine and heroin in Colombia,
strengthening the government in Bogota and helping it
take control of a large part of the country's southern
territory now dominated by rebels. (signed)
Neb/dat/gm
07-Mar-2000 15:31 PM EDT (07-Mar-2000 2031 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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