Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 Source: News & Observer (NC) Copyright: 2001 The News and Observer Publishing Company Contact: http://www.news-observer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304 Author: Gail S Phares SPREADING WAR Regarding the June 29 article "Colombian rebels release 242 prisoners": The Bush administration is proposing to regionalize the war in South America with an Andean Initiative that will give $1.1 billion in mostly military and police aid to Colombia and its neighbors in 2002. A more constructive alternative would include debt relief and fair trade for Colombia, aid for alternative peasant crops and support for human rights and labor rights. U.S. Rep. David Price, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, should vote against military aid to Colombia, against further funds for aerial spraying of crops and for funds for drug treatment in the United States. GAIL S. PHARES Director Witness for Peace Southeast Raleigh - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom