Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jul 2000
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)
Copyright: 2000 St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.postnet.com/postnet/stories.nsf/Home
Forum: http://www.postnet.com/postnet/config.nsf/forums
Author: George Gedda, Associated Press Writer

COLOMBIA TO TEST ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO DRUG ERADICATION

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Colombia has agreed to test a naturally occurring 
fungicide to determine whether it is feasible for widespread eradication of 
narcotics plants, the State Department said Thursday.

The testing is expected to take about two years to complete, spokesman 
Richard Boucher said. "Then it will be up to the government of Colombia to 
evaluate the results and determine the next steps," he said.

The testing, funded by a $3 million U.S. contribution, will be carried out 
by Colombia and the U.N. Drug Control Agency.

Colombian Environmental Minister Juan Mayr has been discussing the issue 
with administration officials and congressional staff aides.

"What we want is a program of research -- and only research -- on the use 
of biological controls against these crops," Mayr told The New York Times.

Advocates say the fungicide, known as fusarium oxysporum, could be the 
answer in the long search for a means of reversing what has been a steady 
growth in the production of coca leaf and opium poppy in Colombia.

Colombian drug cartels have been able to offset extensive chemical spraying 
by opening up new areas for cultivating narcotics plants.

The proponents say a big advantage of the fungus is that it grows 
naturally, is safe for the environment, and that decades must pass before a 
treated area is suitable again for growing narcotics plants.

Agriculture Department tests have shown that the fungus will kill narcotics 
plants without harming other plants or animal life, advocates says.

"These micro-organisms have the potential to cripple drug crops before they 
are even harvested," one proponent, Republican Sen. Mike DeWine of Ohio, 
has said.

DeWine was unavailable for comment on Thursday, but an aide said the 
decision was "a positive step forward." Efforts to reach Colombian 
officials for comment were unsuccessful.

Rep. Bill McCollum, R-Fl., has said all indications are that the fungicide 
"has the potential for making a big difference in the drug war. This could 
be the silver bullet." The Colombian decision to go ahead with testing was 
made with the strong encouragement of the Clinton administration.

A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there 
will be other hurdles to clear if the tests show the product is feasible.

The next problem would be to find a way to produce the fungicide in 
quantities that will yield the desired results. In addition, a delivery 
mechanism has to be found, the official said.

Administration officials have become increasingly alarmed about the 
repeated failure of an extensive eradication program to reverse what they 
call an "explosion" in coca production in Colombia.

A CIA estimate in January showed a substantial increase in coca 
cultivation, and there is no reason to believe the next estimate, due in 
January 2001, will not show another increase, the State Department official 
said.

Congress recently approved legislation to provide $1.3 billion to Colombia 
to fight narcotraffickers and the insurgents who protect the drug trade.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D