Pubdate: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 
Source: Independent, The (UK)
Copyright: 1999 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL
Website: http://www.independent.co.uk/

SAS SECRETLY HELPS BOGOTA FIGHT REBELS

Members of the SAS are secretly helping Colombia fight the war against
drugs. "The SAS have given us great help in recent times," said
General Jose Serrano, commander of the paramilitary police force. "We
are very grateful to the British government for this."

Small teams of SAS specialists rotate routinely through Bogota,
British diplomats confirmed, working with General Serrano's main unit,
La Jungla. This battalion is responsible for locating and destroying
drug factories in remote areas.

"They are working with this police unit much of the time, training
them," said President Andres Pastrana told 'Channel 4 News'.

"We produce drugs ... you consume them, so we have to join in one
fight together against the drug organisation." 
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