Pubdate: Thu, 30 Aug 2001
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2001 Cox Interactive Media.
Contact:  http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Jared Kotler, Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/colombia (Reports About Colombia)

U.S. WEIGHING EXPANDED ROLE IN COLOMBIA

Envoys Assessing Drug War Progress

Bogota, Colombia --- A high-level U.S. delegation arrived in Colombia on 
Wednesday to try to steer a course for the Bush administration in a nation 
whose drug trade is fueling Latin America's longest-running civil war.

The U.S. group --- including Undersecretary of State Marc Grossman and Gen. 
Peter Pace, commander of U.S. military forces in the region --- is arriving 
amid rising anger among Colombians at leftist guerrillas, increasing 
support for the military and calls for President Andres Pastrana to take a 
tougher stance in peace talks.

Moments before the Americans touched down, a U.N. peace envoy appealed for 
dialogue instead of what he called growing sentiment in favor of a military 
solution to the 37-year conflict.

"Those who criticize the search for peace should carefully consider the 
alternative," the U.N. diplomat, Jan Egeland of Norway, told a press 
conference in the capital, Bogota. "You cannot shoot your way to 
reconciliation."

Recent criticism from the U.S. State Department about rebel activities in a 
safe haven Pastrana granted the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or 
FARC, has prompted speculation that the Bush administration is considering 
widening its assistance to help the Colombian army battle FARC directly.

Currently, U.S. aid supports a controversial aerial eradication program 
against coca and poppy plantations. The guerrillas and a rival right-wing 
paramilitary militia tax the drug crops to fund their operations.

Many Colombians welcome the aid from Washington. But about 70 protesters 
gathered Wednesday outside the fortresslike U.S. Embassy, where they 
unfurled a huge Colombian flag and chanted slogans against Pastrana's 
U.S.-backed drug-fighting strategy.

The U.S. delegation today is scheduled to tour military bases where U.S. 
Special Forces have trained Colombian army units and where aerial drug 
eradication operations are based. The visit also will help set up a trip to 
Colombia by Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sept. 11-12.
- ---
MAP posted-by: GD