Pubdate: Tue, 30 May 2000 Source: Michigan Daily (MI) Copyright: 2000 The Michigan Daily Contact: 420 Maynard Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1327 Website: http://www.michigandaily.com/ Author: Lee Eisenstein OIL REAL TARGET OF U.S. IN COLUMBIA To the Daily: Regarding Christopher A. Josephs' excellent letter, "Drug War An Unnecessary Scam," (5/22/00) it should also be noted that our "free press" has apparently chosen not to inform the American people that U.S interest in Columbia has nothing to do with drugs and everything to do with oil. Americans should not overlook that fact that narco-dictatorships are long time allies of the U.S. government and the business interests it works for. For the last year, U.S. oil firms have been lobbying the Clinton Administration to intervene in Columbia's civil war. The rebels have taken to attacking the oil companies operations and have stated that they will nationalize the natural wealth of Columbia and use that wealth to lift the Columbian people out of poverty. That is the only "crime" that the oil companies' servant, our government, wishes to attack. Lee Eisenstein Watsonville, CA - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart