Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jan 2005
Source: State, The (SC)
Copyright: 2005 The State
Contact:  http://www.thestate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/426
Author: Cassandra Fralix

BUSH SHOULD END FAILED COLOMBIA PLAN

A failed Clinton experiment in Colombia, the Colombia Plan, should not be 
continued under President Bush. The president visited Colombia in November 
to discuss further funding of counter-narcotics efforts.

One such effort, the aerial fumigation of coca (which is used to make 
cocaine), is harming innocent civilians and destroying the land and water. 
Why are we continuing to support a policy that doesn't work? Even when we 
manage to successfully reduce coca cultivation in one country, it moves to 
another country.

The $3 billion or more in taxpayer funds will be going to fund activities 
that are inhumane to innocent farmers and to prop up an abusive military. 
Colombia is a very conflicted country, and the problems are exacerbated by 
the infusion of American money.

We do not need to put more money in a failed program, especially during a 
time when our country is running a huge budget deficit.

Cassandra Fralix

Columbia 
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