Pubdate: Sat, 07 Apr 2001 Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2001 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.uniontrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386 Author: Andrew Selsky, Associated Press COLOMBIA'S PRESIDENT WON'T SAY THAT REBELS ARE TRAFFICKING DRUGS BOGOTA, Colombia -- The presidents of Colombia and Mexico yesterday cast doubt on assertions by U.S. and other officials that Colombian rebels were trafficking drugs -- an international crime that could result in their extradition for trial abroad. Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Rand Beers recently asserted that the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and drug traffickers "are the same thing," and held out the possibility they could be extradited to the United States. But Colombian President Andres Pastrana, who met with President Vicente Fox of Mexico yesterday, said that "for the moment no proof or evidence exists that the FARC is a drug cartel." Fox echoed Pastrana's comments at a joint news conference, saying there is "no confirmation" that the FARC is selling drugs to powerful Mexican drug cartels, who transship cocaine and heroin from Colombia to the United States. The FARC has admitted to "taxing" Colombian peasant farmers who grow drug crops, along with a rival right-wing paramilitary group, but denies it smuggles cocaine or works directly with international drug traffickers. The comments from the presidents come two days after Colombia's army chief said he would deliver evidence to prosecutors and international bodies showing the FARC is selling cocaine to international traffickers. Calling drug trafficking a "scourge," Fox and Pastrana created a joint security council composed of their defense ministers and other top officials to enhance cooperation in the drug war. Pastrana and Fox also urged the United States to cut drug consumption and criticized Washington's annual certification of other countries' cooperation in the drug war. "It is a process that only irritates and offends our countries," Fox said. Fox said he supported Pastrana's efforts to end Colombia's 37-year war and said FARC rebels must demonstrate a greater commitment to peace. Fox hinted he might close their offices in Mexico if that does not occur. "They will be welcome in Mexico as long as they are making a real effort for peace," said Fox, who was on his first trip to another Latin American country since taking office in December. "There has to be a commitment by both sides." Pastrana's two-year effort to negotiate peace with the rebels has yielded little, with the FARC refusing a cease-fire or any other major concessions. Guerrilla attacks and charges of deepening involvement in the drug trade have stained the image of the talks. Fox has publicly supported Plan Colombia, Pastrana's war on drugs that Washington is helping finance with $1.3 billion in mostly military aid. Under the plan, hundreds of square miles of drug-producing plantations are targeted for aerial fumigation, with the planes protected by U.S.-trained troops and U.S.-supplied helicopters. In a statement, Fox and Pastrana also said the April 20-22 Summit of the Americas in Quebec is an opportunity to expand free trade throughout the hemisphere. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D