Pubdate: Tue, 20 Mar 2001
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2001 The Washington Post Company
Page: A25
Column: In the Loop
Contact:  1150 15th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20071
Feedback: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/edit/letters/letterform.htm
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Author: Al Kamen

NEXT STOP, FIREBASE CODEL

Congress has been working overtime and, doggone it, deserves a spring
break. Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.) has what looks to be a very fine suggestion.

"HAVE YOU EVER SPENT A NIGHT IN THE JUNGLE OR SEEN THE GALAPAGOS
ISLANDS?" Weldon asks in a "Dear Colleague" letter he sent around last
week. Well, now's your chance to do both.

"From the oil spill in the Galapagos Islands to the drug war in
Colombia and Ecuador, U.S. involvement in Latin America has been
growing," Weldon writes. Why be left out?

"I wish to invite you to join me in a delegation trip [that would be a
CODEL] to Ecuador and Colombia from April 17th through the 27th," says
Weldon. Note that his first invitation listed the trip only from April
17-23, far too short to do all the heavy lifting required.

"We will see first-hand the drug war by spending overnight at a
forward-deployed base in the Colombian jungle. We will also get a
bird's eye view of the destruction of the recent oil spill in the
Galapagos Islands."

Actually, since the winds fortunately shifted just after the spill and
blew the oil out away from the islands, which are only 500 miles off
the coast of Ecuador, there won't be much damage to see. But that's
okay, visiting the islands, which would set you back several thousand
bucks if you went on your own, is said to be just extraordinary --
even more so without any oil slicks.

Some might fret about this "jungle" stuff and an "overnight at a
forward-deployed base." Not to worry, we've checked with a Senate aide
who's been there. "Don't let that deter you," we were told. "It's a
little rustic, like when you send your kid to summer camp." There's a
fine dining hall and a nice deck that overlooks the Rio Caqueta, for a
little post-dinner libation and perhaps a cigar while watching the
river traffic.

"This trip will prove to be exciting and informative for all
involved," Weldon says. And, best of all, totally free. Sign up
immediately.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake