Pubdate: Sat, 12 Oct 2002
Source: Island Packet (SC)
Copyright: 2002,The Island Packet
Contact:  http://www.islandpacket.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1514
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/area/Colombia

SHIFTING STRATEGY

America Needs To Clarify Its Expanding Mission In Colombia

One of the more serious cases of mission creep in the war against terror 
can be found in the rising U.S. military role in war-torn Colombia.

What was originally cast as U.S. military aid to stamp out Colombia's 
cocaine production is becoming a U.S.-led effort to stamp out leftist 
rebels there. The strategy for closing the noose and furthering America's 
regional interests is problematic. The American people need to know what 
our priority is: drugs, the rebels or a stable supply of oil?

All three are legitimate concerns for U.S. security, given the damage drugs 
cause to American society, the military stalemate in Colombia's civil war 
and the importance of a ready supply of oil in this hemisphere with the 
Middle East so unstable. But American troops are no substitute for the 
broad domestic reforms Colombia needs to improve internal security on its 
own. The new government of Alvaro Uribe has made progress, but deeper U.S. 
military involvement is premature.

Under previous policy, the U.S. military role was largely restricted to 
support of Colombia's drug-interdiction efforts. In their expanded role, 
American troops will train Colombian soldiers and police to attack armed 
rebels and paramilitaries. The aid package includes 10 American helicopters 
and training for 4,000 members of the security forces. A major new 
objective is to secure a pipeline for Occidental Petroleum of Los Angeles, 
which the rebels have bombed hundreds of times, claiming it is a symbol of 
Yankee imperialism. The strategy marks a major shift.

The risks of entanglement were always great, but broadening the focus from 
drugs to the rebels and the oil supply will give ordinary Colombians 
further reason to question America's true interests. Uribe should have 
waited until he had a stronger context for new U.S. military assistance. He 
needs to consolidate his power, show gains against the rebels and build a 
record of respect for democracy and human rights.

Washington's role in the region had become more controversial even before 
the expanded military mission. Public opposition to aerial spraying of 
Colombia's drug crop has grown since a U.S. government report that the 
chemical mix, which the State Department plans to switch, might harm people 
and the environment.

U.S. and Colombian officials also need to improve their effort to induce 
Colombian farmers to eradicate their coca crops. The plan, subsidized by 
American taxpayers, has fallen short of its goals, partly because of poor 
follow-up and distrust between farmers and the Colombian government. These 
steps would lessen the cynicism about American motives, and reduce the risk 
that our deeper military involvement will be counterproductive for us and 
for Colombia.
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