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  Some Democrats Wary of Bush's Colombia Aid Plan
Posted by FoM on March 19, 2002 at 19:58:52 PT
By Vicki Allen  
Source: Reuters 

justice The Bush administration will ask Congress for power to help Colombia fight its bloody guerrilla war as well as its illegal drug trade, but some Democrats said on Tuesday they feared the White House may only enlarge a failed policy.

With Colombia descending into worsening violence, President Bush will seek authority to use U.S. aid to help Bogota fight terrorism -- in this case, rebel insurgents -- as well the drug trade that has fueled four decades of violence and supplies much of the cocaine in the United States.

Congressional sources said the plan also will include measures to help Colombia's police stem frequent kidnappings and to establish a police presence in rural areas that have been wracked by violence between guerrillas and paramilitary groups that also are blamed for brutality and drug-running.

The aides said the plan also will call for accelerating use of $98 million to protect an oil pipeline near Colombia's northern border that was closed most of last year by guerrilla attacks. Bush originally asked for that money to be used next fiscal year that starts on Oct. 1.

The plan would "essentially open the door to any kind of activity that could be described as countering a threat to Colombia's security," a congressional aide said on condition of anonymity.

The plan still would bar the U.S. military from actual combat, keeping the limited number of personnel there in advisory positions, aides said.

As part of Bush's widening war on terrorism, the Colombia plan will be in a $24 billion emergency package that the president is expected to send to Capitol Hill this week to finance the war in Afghanistan and other military operations and tighten domestic safeguards.

While lawmakers have watched the spiraling violence in the Latin American country with alarm, some say they fear Bush's proposal will do little but draw the United States deeper into the conflict.

NOT TALKING PEACE

Colombian President Andres Pastrana broke off 3-year-old peace talks with the largest rebel group last month and reclaimed territory he had ceded to them after guerrillas hijacked a commercial plane and kidnapped a senator.

Colombia's 38-year-old war, which involves leftist rebel groups as well as far-right paramilitary outlaws, claims about 3,500 lives a year.

"What we've found is they really haven't thought this through. They couldn't tell us what their policy is, what their goals are, potential costs, risks," the congressional aide said.

Bush was responding to congressional prodding that he do something more to help shore up Pastrana's government, particularly before elections this spring to choose his replacement. The country's constitution bars Pastrana from seeking another term.

"I have been concerned that the administration didn't move earlier to alter the previous policy," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican who serves on the Armed Services Committee. "We can never expect Colombia to do anything about drugs if they don't control their territory," he said.

Others said the U.S. effort will not succeed unless Colombia puts more of its own money and manpower into fighting the war, and warned that Bush's plan may face a rough ride in Congress.

Bogota has been criticized for underfunding its military and for draft laws that keep wealthier, more educated men out of the army.

Some Democrats also say the plan should focus more on economic development as a way to help stabilize the crumbling society and draw Europe into the support effort.

The United States has committed nearly $2 billion to Colombia over the last two years as part of an international program called "Plan Colombia," but lawmakers complain that Europe has put up little money so far.

Source: Reuters
Author: Vicki Allen
Published: March 19, 2002
Copyright: 2002 Reuters

Related Articles & Web Site:

Colombia Drug War News
http://freedomtoexhale.com/colombia.htm

In Colombia's War, Even Cause at Issue
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12269.shtml

U.S. Looks To Loosen Aid Regs for Colombia
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12251.shtml

Get Out of Colombia - Congressman Ron Paul MD
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12206.shtml


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