It matters to the people of Colombia who are living in an environment dominated by poverty and extreme acts of violence to know that people are interested enough to learn about the conditions under which they live and are willing to help them deal with their situation. This is what we were told by the people there many times during our visit this summer. It was my second trip to Colombia. I went as a member of the Witness for Peace/Justapaz delegation and on the behalf of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. [continues 546 words]
To the Editor: Re "War in Colombia Creates a Nation of Victims" (front page, Sept. 10): I visited the Nelson Mandela refugee camp last January. Most Americans cannot imagine the poverty of this community. Many of its residents, especially children, and others throughout the country suffer from trauma and hunger as victims of the war in Colombia. Coverage and photographs like those in your article should galvanize the humanitarian and antiwar spirit of Americans and help prevent Colombia from becoming another Vietnam. FREDERICK J. STREETS New Haven, Sept. 10, 2000 [end]
