DATE=6/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COLOMBIA REACT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263678
BYLINE=RHODA METCALFE
DATELINE=BOGOTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Colombia, the army and government were
overjoyed to hear that months of waiting are
over. The US Senate agreed to a 1.3 billion dollar aid
package to Colombia. The money is directed primarily
to train anti-narcotics squads and equip them with a
fleet of helicopters
to destroy drug crops and fight left-wing guerrilas,
who Colombian government officials say, protect the
narco-production. But the Colombian army is clearly
hoping the aid will give them a leg up against left-
wing guerrillas. And peace activists fear its affect
on fledgling peace talks. Rhoda Metcalfe reports from
Bogota.
TEXT: For Colombia's President Andres Pastrana, the
Senate decision to approve the
military aid package is proof that Colombia is no
longer the world's drug-trafficking pariah.
//Pastrana act. in Spanish, fade under //
Looking tired but relieved, Mr. Pastrana stated that
the U-S Senate has recognized that fighting
drugs must be a shared responsibility between Colombia
and the rest of the world.
Colombia's military leaders have pledged that with US
assistance, over the next 6 years they
will reduce by half the drug crops which reportedly
produce 90 percent of the cocaine and 60 percent of
the heroin sold in the United States. But there's an
added benefit for the Colombian army. Less drug
production means less financing for left-wing
guerrillas. General Fernando Tapias is chief of
Colombia's armed forces.
//General Tapias act. in Spanish, fade under //
If we can reduce drug crops by half, that's cutting 50
percent of the money that goes to these groups that
produce terror in our country. Because the drug money
is the fuel
that's driving that violence, he said.
But unions and social activists warn that the aid will
simply up the ante in Colombia's rebel war.
// Garzon act. in Spanish,fade under //
This is a direct attack on the peace process, said
union leader Luis Eduardo Garzon.
The Colombian government began talks last year with
the largest guerrilla group, the
FARC. It's about to launch a second round with the
other major rebel group, the ELN.
The US helicopters and equipment is supposed to be
used exclusively against narco-trafficking. But many
analysts worry that Colombia's weak army will use the
aid indiscriminately in their fight against the rebels
and that could drag the
United States deeper into Colombia's conflict.
Colombian officials have tried to calm the fears by
painting the US aid package as just one
element in a wider strategy called "Plan Colombia,"
which includes social programming for
displaced families, human rights and alternative crop
support.
The government is hoping European governments will
come through with a billion dollars to
finance this social side. A meeting with them is
scheduled for next month in Madrid. But so
far European officials have shown little enthusiasm to
back social programs that are tied to battle-equipped
helicopters. (Signed)
NEB/RM/PLM
23-Jun-2000 02:08 AM EDT (23-Jun-2000 0608 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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