Pubdate: Tue, 06 Feb 2001 Source: El Pais (Spain) Contact: (Spanish language LTEs only) Address: Miguel Yuste 40, 28037 Madrid, Spain Website: http://www.elpais.es UN SAYS PEACE NEEDED TO WAGE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS Peace is needed to eradicate drugs in Colombia, according to Klaus Nyholm, head of the UN Drug Control Program in Colombia and Ecuador. In an interview with the Cali El Pais, he said alternative programs to improve the lives of farmers are more effective in the fight against drugs than fumigation and repression of coca crops. "The guerrillas here have what [others] in Central America do not have, a way to finance themselves," Nyholm said. "It is no coincidence that in the three countries where the greatest amount of illicit drugs are cultivated in the world -- Colombia, Afghanistan and Burma [officially known as Myanmar] -- there is also armed conflict." Although the government's "Plan Colombia" allocates approximately $1 billion dollars to develop alternative programs for farmers, "I don't believe it is possible to eradicate coca and poppy [plants] in Colombia in a situation of armed conflict," Nyholm said. "For the final solution, peace is needed." Nyholm said results will only be seen when there are real negotiations for peace. "We have seen that the FARC [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels] has said, with great interest, that they want to participate in projects of alternative development, but at the same time they are financed with drugs," he said. Nyholm called on developed countries to provide more assistance in the fight against drugs. "The rich countries should help much more with their experiences in preventing consumption, but also with economic resources in the fight against production," he said - --- MAP posted-by: Beth