Pubdate: Mon, 12 Jan 2004
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2004 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Robert Novak
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/bolivia
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/colombia
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/venezuela

ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM UNRAVELING

While the Bush White House publicly brags about reduced coca production in
South America's Andean region, there is dismay behind the scenes in the U.S.
intelligence community.

A recent classified National Intelligence summary reported there is
not any scenario under current conditions that will continue
aggressive eradication in Bolivia of coca, the crop used to produce
cocaine.

That threatens the unraveling of the long-standing U.S. anti-drug
program based in Colombia. The problem with the program, begun by the
Clinton administration and continued under President Bush, is focusing
South America entirely on counter-drug objectives rather than
counter-insurgency concerns.

The result in Bolivia has been deepening political turmoil after
pro-coca forces helped oust a pro- American president.

Although Bush policymakers look the other way, Latin America
specialists in the government fear all progress made in Colombia will
be undermined by narcotics operations based in Bolivia.

U.S. preoccupation with the Middle East and Central Asia ignores what
is happening next door amid rising influence of a new clique of
leftist, anti-American leaders.

Evo Morales, Bolivia's rising radical, and Fidel Castro, Cuba's
communist dictator, both were in Caracas last month to meet with
Venezuela's leftist President Hugo Chavez. That was preceded by Jimmy
Carter's visit to Bolivia where the former president, praising Morales
as an "impressive" leader with a great future, undermined U.S.
counter-drug policies.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin