DATE=8/30/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON-COLOMBIA PROBLEMS
NUMBER=266006
BYLINE=RHODA METCALFE
DATELINE=BOGOTA
CONTENT=
INTRO: The arrival of President Bill Clinton in
Colombia Wednesday has stirred up both hopes and fears
in the population. The visit marks a diplomatic
breakthrough for the South American country after many
years of being shunned internationlly for its problems
with the narcotics trade. As Rhoda Metcalfe reports
Mr. Clinton's visit is seen as the final seal of
approval on a new partnership between the US and
Colombia in the war on drugs.
TEXT: /// SOUND -- Women singing ///
President Clinton was serenaded from the moment he and
his powerful political entourage stepped off the
plane. After years of being blacklisted by the U-S,
many Colombians treated this visit as the diplomatic
event of the decade.
Last month, the US Congress approved one-point-three
billion dollars aid package to help Colombia destroy
drug crops and fight left-wing guerrillas that protect
them. But the aid package is controversial in both
Colombia and the U-S.
As Mr. Clinton landed on the Colombian soil there were
some protests and marches around the country .
Students and union leaders also gathered in front of
the U-S embassy in Bogota and burned several American
flags.
/// SOUND -- Man speaking ///
One union leader argued,the Clinton visit marks the
beginning of serious U-S intervention in Colombia.
But the U-S President really stole the show with his
relaxed style and sympathetic conversations with
widows of Colombian police officers killed in anti-
drug operations.
In a televised address to Colombians the night before
(Tuesday night), Mr. Clinton tried to reassure them
that the aid package approved last month by the US
Congress is more than just military aid. He said its
also aimed at bringing stability to Colombia's wartorn
countryside.
/// CLINTON Act #1 ///
We have no military objective. We do not believe
your conflict has a military solution. Our
assistance includes a 10 fold increase in our
support for economic development, good
governance, udicial reform and human rights.
/// End Act ///
But Mr. Clinton also acknowledged the concerns of
human rights advocates, who adamantly oppose the US
decision to give over half billion dollars in
military equipment directly to the Colombian army.
They argue there is ample evidence that the Colombian
military is supporting paramilitary assassinations and
village massacres. Mr. Clinton tried to reassure
them.
/// Clinton Act #2///
Our package provides human rights training for
the Colombian military and the police, and
denies U-S assistance to any units of the
Colombian security forces involved in human
rights abuses or link to abuses by paramilitary
forces.
/// End Act ///
Human rights advocates are not reassured. They say the
U-S will be hard pressed to find military units
untainted by paramilitary connections. But some
Colombians hope with so much international attention
turned on Colombia now, the military may realize what
a liability the paramilitaries have become -- and may
begin to severe their ties. (Signed)
NEB/PT
30-Aug-2000 19:26 PM EDT (30-Aug-2000 2326 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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