DrugSense FOCUS Alert # 182 August 31, 2000 PLEASE COPY AND DISTRIBUTE USA Today: Neighbors Warn Colombia Violence Will Spread Anyone who has followed the drug war knows the $1.3 billion U.S. aid package allegedly designed to hurt the cocaine industry in Colombia, is doomed to fail in its stated goals. The traffickers will move elsewhere -- and the drugs will continue to flow into the U.S. No one knows this better than leaders in other South American countries. As USA Today reported this week, military leaders in Brazil are moving extra troops to the nation's Colombian border in hopes of keeping the turmoil contained in Colombia. (For many more details about the concerns of Colombia and its neighbors, see the daily "Press Briefings," at http://www.narconews.com/pressbriefing.html. The site includes translations of stories from the Latin American press showing that the people there know increased U.S. involvement under the guise of fighting drugs is a recipe for disaster throughout the continent.) Please write a letter to USA Today to thank them for covering some of the dark reality behind Bill Clinton's optimistic rhetoric. Please also write to your own local newspaper to say that no matter how much violence is used in the drug war, waging a war on drugs can only make problems worse. WRITE A LETTER TODAY It's not what others do it's what YOU do PLEASE SEND US A COPY OF YOUR LETTER OR TELL US WHAT YOU DID (Letter, Phone, fax etc.) Please post a copy your letter or report your action to the sent letter list () if you are subscribed, or by E-mailing a copy directly to Your letter will then be forwarded to the list with so others can learn from your efforts and be motivated to follow suit This is VERY IMPORTANT as it is the only way we have of gauging our impact and effectiveness. CONTACT INFO: Source: USA Today (US) Contact: NOTE USA Today circulation is 2.1 MILLION readers - A 5 inch LTE published in this paper has an advertising value for reform of $6,300!! Write Away! EXTRA CREDIT: Write to your own local newspaper, or any of the newspapers that have covered Colombia to protest the start of "Plan Colombia." ARTICLE Brazil: Brazil Says 'Plan Colombia' Biggest Security Risk URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1273/a06.html Newshawk: Sledhead - VOTE Patrick L. Lilly, Colo. Senate, Dist. 12 Pubdate: Tue, 29 Aug 2000 Source: USA Today (US) Copyright: 2000 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Contact: Address: 1000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA 22229 Fax: (703) 247-3108 Website: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nfront.htm BRAZIL SAYS 'PLAN COLOMBIA' BIGGEST SECURITY RISK BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) -- Brazil is dispatching thousands of troops to its jungle border with Colombia to prevent fallout as the neighbouring country launches an offensive against drug traffickers and rebel forces, the national security chief said. Gen. Alberto Cardoso, the president's chief security adviser, told Reuters in an interview late on Monday that "Plan Colombia" -- the neighbouring country's $7.5 billion assault on drug traffickers in rebel strongholds -- is causing major concern for Brazil. "For Brazil, Colombia is causing the biggest worry," Cardoso said. "Our attention is dedicated to the effects it could have on Brazil, like the flight of guerrillas and the transfer of (drug) laboratories and plantations." Cardoso said Brazil already has sent 6,000 troops to the Amazon border, winding along about 1,000 miles (1,644 km) of dense jungle. Within one year, another 6,000 troops will be sent to the region, where they will remain until Plan Colombia has been completed, Cardoso added. The troops normally would be stationed throughout the Amazon region. "The army will perform a serious operation of surveillance and defence of our territory," Cardoso said. While Brazil has offered moral support to Colombia's peace efforts, it also has added its voice to a growing chorus of concern among neighbouring countries, including Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela. Neighbours worry that the conflict will spill over into their territory, either in the form of refugees, cocaine production, guerrillas or drug traffickers seeking shelter from a widely expected military offensive. Particularly controversial has been $1.3 billion in mostly U.S. military aid to support Plan Colombia. Under the package, U.S. military advisors will go to Colombia to train special battalions in fighting the drug trade and, indirectly, the leftist guerrillas who protect and profit from the trafficking. Brazil's Foreign Minister Luiz Felipe Lampreia said during a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that Latin America's biggest country was not as committed as the United States to Plan Colombia and would not take part in any common international action. U.S. President Bill Clinton is due to arrive in Colombia on Wednesday to show his support for the government efforts to end its four-decade-long civil war. In the interview, Cardoso said he doubted that displaced drug traffickers and guerrillas would head toward Brazil because in the past they "have preferred other destinations." "But this is no guarantee, so we need planning to safeguard the border during Plan Colombia," Cardoso said. SAMPLE LETTER To the editor of USA Today: Thank you for covering the concerns of Brazil in regard to "Plan Colombia," ("Brazil Says 'Plan Colombia' Biggest Security Risk," Aug. 29). U.S. leaders who insist more military aid will bring peace to Colombia are either lying to us or they are deluded. As for the notion that an infusion of U.S. arms will somehow stop the cocaine trade, when has force ever hurt the illegal drug business? It may increase the risk taken by illegal drug operations, but increased risks simply mean increased profits and more incentive to keep operating. The huge U.S. aid package is a grave mistake that will only escalate violence in and around Colombia. Our tax dollars and our military forces are being used to promote more mayhem. How much death and destruction will be endured before the American people stand up against this fiasco that has no clear exit strategy? Will it take the deaths of more than a million natives and 55,000 American soldiers like it did in Vietnam? Stephen Young IMPORTANT: Always include your address and telephone number Please note: If you choose to use this letter as a model please modify it at least somewhat so that the paper does not receive numerous copies of the same letter and so that the original author receives credit for his/her work. ADDITIONAL INFO to help you in your letter writing efforts 3 Tips for Letter Writers http://www.mapinc.org/3tips.htm Letter Writers Style Guide http://www.mapinc.org/style.htm TO SUBSCRIBE, DONATE, VOLUNTEER TO HELP, OR UPDATE YOUR EMAIL SEE http://www.drugsense.org/hurry.htm TO UNSUBSCRIBE SEE http://www.drugsense.org/unsub.htm Prepared by Stephen Young - http://home.att.net/~theyoungfamily Focus Alert Specialist

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