Pubdate: Wed, 14 Feb 2001
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2001 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA   98111
Fax: (206) 382-6760
Website: http://www.seattletimes.com/
Section: Nation & World
Author: Andrew Selsky, Associated Press

COLOMBIAN DRUG WAR SEES SUCCESS

LA ESPERANZA, COLOMBIA  Buoyed by unexpected success in fumigating coca 
crops, a U.S.-financed offensive is targeting clandestine jungle labs in 
search-and-destroy missions in the heart of the world's main 
cocaine-producing region.

Colombian army troops, trained by Green Berets and guided by spy-plane and 
satellite technology, have had only light skirmishes with leftist rebels 
and rival right-wing paramilitary gunmen who earn millions of dollars from 
"taxing" the cocaine industry in southern Colombia.

U.S. officials say it is too early to declare victory, but the Colombian 
commander of the operations says rebel vows to combat the offensive have 
proved empty.

"We had expected tough fights when we went into these places. We thought 
they would shoot down our helicopters and planes. But the engagements have 
been routine," Colombian army Gen. Mario Montoya said Monday at Tres 
Esquinas army base, where U.S. intelligence experts interpret satellite 
imagery for the mission. Montoya then flew into the war zone to direct the 
demolition of a lab that had produced millions of dollars worth of cocaine. 
After showing journalists the lab, hidden in a stand of jungle growth and 
containing packages of purified cocaine, processing chemicals, microwave 
ovens and an electrical generator, Montoya's men placed explosivesinside it 
and retreated into the middle of a coca field. A deafening explosion 
enveloped the drug lab in a fireball.

Rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, had overseen 
the lab, which was capable of refining 2,200 pounds of cocaine per week, 
Montoya said. But the guerrillas were nowhere to be seen as the heavily 
armed government soldiers, their faces smeared with camouflage paint, 
conducted sweeps into the surrounding jungle. One discovered a stash of 
1,100 pounds of "coca paste," unrefined cocaine.

Three men were arrested when the troops arrived.

Montoya strode through the coca field, M-16 assault rifle in hand, barking 
orders to his troops. After destroying the lab, along with the chemicals 
and coca paste, Montoya boarded a helicopter and took off for the Tres 
Esquinas base.

"I am convinced that the military capacity of the FARC is what we have 
seen," Montoya told reporters of the rebel response to the antidrug 
offensive, which began Dec. 19 and has resulted in the aerial fumigation of 
72,000 acres of coca, according to Colombian and U.S. officials.

The early success has far exceeded planners' expectations. Montoya, whose 
troops and helicopters protect crop dusters from enemy gunfire, said he had 
been charged with destroying 59,000 acres of coca in two years, a target he 
surpassed only seven weeks after the so-called "Push into the South" 
offensive began.

A temporary halt to the spraying campaign was declared 10 days ago. At 
least 123,000 acres of coca are believed to still exist.

Montoya said his forces' presence on fumigation missions has dramatically 
cut the risk to the crop dusters' pilots, who are subcontracted by the U.S. 
State Department.

Previously, when the crop dusters flew unprotected, a plane was hit by 
bullets on virtually every mission. Now, fewer than 1 percent of the planes 
receive ground fire, Montoya said.

Colombian President Andres Pastrana will meet with President Bush in 
Washington on Feb. 27 for a review of U.S. efforts to help Colombia.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart