Pubdate: Mon, 10 Jul 2000
Source: American Press (LA)
Copyright: 2000 Shearman Corporation
Contact:  P.O. Box 2893, Lake Charles, LA 70602
Fax: (337) 494-4070
Website: http://www.americanpress.com/

CONGRESS SHOULD RETHINK WAR ON COLOMBIAN DRUGS

Somewhere, somehow, there must be someone with enough insight,
tactical skills and political courage to define for Congress and the
American people the full truth about Colombia's illicit narcotics industry.

After more than a decade of effort and the spending of several billion
dollars, we appear to be getting further away rather than closer to
even modest success in stemming the massive flow of Colombian drugs
into the United States.

With production of illicit narcotics rapidly expanding in Colombia,
President Clinton is asking Congress to approve a $1.6 billion
anti-drug package for Colombia that commits military weapons,
helicopters and on-the-ground American soldiers.

Critics say we could be headed for another Vietnam, with U.S. soldiers
projected into a brutal civil war between Colombian government troops
and well-armed guerrillas supported by drug lords.

There's no assurance our involvement wouldn't be lengthy. A
high-ranking State Department official has told lawmakers that the
United States might have to be involved in Colombia for five years or
more, far beyond the two-year time frame for which Congress is being
asked to provide $1.6 billion in assistance.

The alternative to U.S. involvement in Colombia, the administration
says, is a greater, more rapid increase in production and
transportation of illicit narcotics from Colombia into Mexico and then
into the U.S.

But our involvement hasn't made a difference in the past. And there
are other problems. Colombia is not only in a war against narcotic
traffickers but also against the leftist guerrillas allied with them.
That's why the proposed aid package includes 63 military helicopters
and dozens of U.S. military "advisers."

What's being proposed isn't new aid. It would be an escalation of
current aid.

What have we accomplished thus far in Colombia? A new CIA estimate
showed that opium poppy production was up 23 percent last year in
Colombia, and production of coca -- the raw material from which cocaine
is made -- was up 20 percent.

There are also reports that any slack in Colombian exports to the U.S.
through Mexico will be quickly picked up by other countries.

There's a question whether even direct U.S. involvement could result
in a significant cut in Colombia's drug exports. In Colombia, the task
would be extremely complex and risky. The guerrillas have vast
resources as a result of their profitable ties with drug
traffickers.

Even the most optimistic observers admit that it will be hard to keep
U.S. involvement at a minimum. And that's what scares the skeptics --
the vision of another Vietnam quagmire, with U.S. advisors and
helicopters followed by more direct involvement with no ceiling apparent.

We've been at it in Colombia for more than a decade. A reasonable wait
won't hurt while our lawmakers look for counsel from the best and
brightest people they can find.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens