Pubdate: Wed, 12 Dec 2001
Source: Chapel Hill News (NC)
Copyright: 2001 Chapel Hill News
Contact:  http://www.chapelhillnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1081
Author: Noreen Ordronneau

IT'S TIME TO STOP DAMAGE TO COLOMBIA

As we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ -- 
decorating Christmas trees, placing lights in our windows, singing 
Christmas carols of peace on Earth -- my thoughts go out to the people in 
southern Colombia who are enduring aerial fumigation with Ultra Round-up 
financed by U.S. taxpayers.

Reports coming from the Provincial Health Center in Carchi document that 
five people died (two adults and three infants) as a result of glyphosate 
fumigation on the Colombian side of the Putumayo River. The symptoms 
presented by the dead were hemorrhage, stomach pains, body swelling, fever 
and diarrhea.

In a recent World Wildlife Fund letter to Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), 
WWF staff sate, "We do not believe that in bringing an end to the human and 
ecological damage caused by the illegal drug trade, the U.S. and Colombian 
governments are justified in using aerial fumigation tactics that pose 
serious risks to human and ecosystem health."

So, as you sing those Christmas carols and watch for the first snow flakes, 
make a call to your senators and congressional representatives protesting 
aerial spraying of herbicides inn Colombia. Take action to bring some 
measure of peace and justice to our Colombian brothers and sisters.

Noreen Ordronneau

Carrboro
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth