Pubdate: Thu, 22 Feb 2001
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles Times
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Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/area/Colombia (Reports about Colombia)

U.S. ANTI-DRUG WORKERS BRAVE BULLETS IN REPORTED COLOMBIA RESCUE

BOGOTA, Colombia--American anti-drug workers braved rebel gunfire to help
rescue the crew of a downed Colombian police helicopter during an anti-drug
mission, police and a U.S. official said Wednesday.

The rescue Sunday illustrated the role American civilians hired by the
government are playing in the drug war in this Latin American country--and
the risks they face.

The rescue team, U.S. citizens contracted by the State Department for its
drug-crop eradication program in Colombia, flew by helicopter into a gun
battle in the southern province of Caqueta and pulled out the downed police
helicopter's co-pilot, a flight technician and the door gunner, said Col.
Carlos Rivera, air operations chief for the Colombian national police.

His account was confirmed by a U.S. official who spoke on condition of
anonymity.

A Colombian police helicopter had earlier picked up the pilot.
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