Pubdate: Sun, 07 Jan 2001 Source: Post and Courier (SC) Copyright: 2001 Evening Post Publishing Co. Contact: 134 Columbus Street Charleston, SC 29403-4800 Website: http://www.charleston.net/ POWELL'S COLOMBIA CHALLENGE The merciless slaughter that is bleeding beautiful Colombia to death must be stopped. The United States and all the other democratic nations of the hemisphere are morally bound to come to the help of the stricken country. But this country must avoid being sucked into Colombia's many-sided civil war. That is why the presence of retired Gen. Colin Powell at the State Department will be reassuring. His dedication to what has become known as "The Powell Doctrine" should safeguard the $1.4 billion dollar "Plan Colombia" from spiraling out of control. The plan sets down a strictly limited role for U.S. military trainers who will teach the Colombian military to use the weapons and equipment that Washington is providing. The enemy that we hope to help the Colombian security forces defeat are the narcotics cartels. Gen. Powell has consistently argued that before the United States commits to the use of military force, a specific and limited objective must be established and that there must be a clear exit strategy. In the case of Colombia, there should be no American troops fighting. But the United States entered the dark tunnel of the Vietnam War with a pledge to provide only advisers and training. Gen. Powell can be expected to apply his doctrine to "Plan Colombia" so that U.S. involvement does not escalate. Colombia today is the savage scene of many wars. The drug traffickers use their enormous wealth to recruit both left-wing guerrillas and right-wing para-military groups to protect their lucrative business. At the same time, the left-wing guerrillas are at war with the democratically elected government of Colombia. The right-wing private armies have, in the past, been clear allies of the Colombian armed forces. But neither the armed groups of the left nor the right should be enemies or allies of the United States. Secretary of State designate Powell once described his doctrine as "just common sense." It calls for clear political objectives and a plan that will achieve those objectives. That is precisely what is required to ensure that "Plan Colombia" does not get out of hand. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake