HTTP/1.0 200 OK Content-Type: text/html Colombian Peace? 
Pubdate: 21 Dec 1998 
Source: U.S. News and World Report (US) 
Contact:  http://www.usnews.com/

COLOMBIAN PEACE?

"Land for Peace in Colombia" [November 23rd] does well to bring attention
to the dire situation in Colombia today. Legitimizing control of portions
of that country by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and
the National Liberation Army (ELN) will not end the hostilities in
Colombia. It is most likely only the beginning of the existing Colombian
government's downfall.  While handing them undeserved gifts, President
Andres Pastrana has given these groups a large portion of the legitimate
recognition they desire.  He is giving these "narco-guerillas" the unabated
opportunity to produce the very narcotics that fund their movements.  With
this, we anticipate that drug production will triple in the next year.

Andrew R. Chilcoat 
National Defense Council Foundation

~~~~~

An integral part of President Pastrana's efforts to negotiate an end to our
internal conflict is to modernize the Colombian armed forces. Under the
leadership of the new minister of defense, Rodrigo Lloreda, we have
embarked on reforms to turn the military into a cadre of professionals
whose sole duty is to protect our democracy.  Such a turnaround cannot
happen overnight, but happen it will.  The country's goal is
reconcilliation, not division, surrender, or balkanization of the country.
We are committed to listen and negotiate. Admittedly, there is a long way
to go, and the road will be a rocky one. We operate under no illusions.  We
are aware that any bid for peace, whether in Colombia, Central America,
Northern Ireland, or the Middle East, has its ups and downs.  We hope,
however, that journalists covering Colombia will give our efforts a
balanced assessment.  The peace process has just begun.

Luis Alberto Moreno 
Ambassador of Colombia

~~~~~

Let's give the "laboratory for peace" in Colombia a chance. Just as in the
Middle East, all sides should listen to the wise advice of Mahatma Gandhi:
There is no road to peace. Peace is the road.

Paul Wolf
Colombia Support Network 
- ---
Checked-by: Richard Lake