cannabisnews.com: US Drug Czar, in Colombia, Says Reviewing Policy





US Drug Czar, in Colombia, Says Reviewing Policy
Posted by FoM on January 16, 2002 at 15:18:39 PT
By Phil Stewart
Source: Reuters
U.S. drug czar John Walters said on Wednesday that Washington was reviewing its counter-narcotics policy in Colombia, which is pressing the United States to allow it to use U.S. anti-drug aid against leftist rebels.Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Colombia's armed forces chief Gen. Fernando Tapias, Walters declined direct comment on any possible change of policy -- saying only that Washington's focus continued to be the war on drugs.
The United States is pouring more than $1 billion in mainly military aid into President Andres Pastrana's anti-cocaine "Plan Colombia." Even though the United States brands Marxist FARC rebels as drug traffickers and "terrorists," so far it has not allowed the Colombians to channel the aid into the counter-insurgency war."I can't discuss all of the planning. We're doing a review of policy," Walters told reporters in Bogota on his first trip to Colombia since his appointment last year."We remain focused on supporting democratic institutions in Colombia. We remain focused on reducing violence where we can make a contribution to doing that, and, most of all, reducing drug trafficking that contributes to the funding of violence, and anti-government activity," he added.Colombia's three-year-old peace talks with Marxist FARC rebels lurched back from collapse on Monday, but Tapias is keeping the army on high alert for a possible presidential order to move into a massive rebel safe haven next week. U.S.-COLOMBIA PARTNERSHIP 'STRONG' The United States -- long reluctant to get dragged into Colombia's 38-year guerrilla war -- has recently toughened its line against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish initials FARC, following the Sept. 11 attacks.But so far it has not made public any big changes to its policies regarding Colombia's conflict."We are supporting President Pastrana and trying to make sure that in this time of change and concern in our country and in Colombia, we remain as strong if not stronger in our partnership with him," Walters said.The United States has sent 16 Black Hawk helicopters for Plan Colombia. Another 33 troop transport helicopters have arrived and 25 Huey-II helicopters will get here later this month.Pastrana has given the Marxist-inspired FARC until Jan. 20 to agree to a precise timetable for negotiating a cease-fire. If they do not, he threatens to send the army into a Switzerland-sized enclave which he ceded the rebels in late 1998 to launch negotiations. The conflict has claimed 40,000 mainly civilian lives in the past decade.Pastrana asked to be allowed to use U.S. resources against the rebels when he met with President Bush and congressional leaders late last year."I have been working with the U.S. government for some time more than anything for much more integrated (aid) for security in Colombia," said Colombia's ambassador to the United States, Luis Alberto Moreno, who accompanied Walters in his meetings. Source: ReutersAuthor: Phil StewartPublished: January 16, 2002Copyright: 2002 Reuters UnlimitedRelated Articles & Web Site:Colombia Drug War Newshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/colombia.htmAmerica's Other War Heats Uphttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11760.shtml U.S. Eyes Shift in Colombia Policy http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11759.shtmlColombia Toasts US-Donated Black Hawkshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11715.shtml 
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Comment #3 posted by Lehder on January 19, 2002 at 19:56:45 PT
bio terror
There have been two recent programs to develop pathogens of drug crops as biocontrol agents. These have been conducted under the United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP) auspices, funded and performed by the US (fungal pathogens of coca), and funded by the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) and performed by Uzbekistan (fungal pathogens of poppy). Both of these programs involve the development of biological agents and delivery devices, and both are presumably intended for use principally or entirely in other countries. However, none of the potential target states has agreed to allow the use of these agents for biocontrol, and several have now stated explicitly that they will not allow it. As a result of this refusal, UNDCP has now withdrawn its sponsorship of the anti-coca project. Although there is no evidence that the agents are being developed for hostile use, the absence of target country approval makes it equally difficult to demonstrate that they are being developed for peaceful purposes. This ambiguity
raises legitimate concerns about compliance with Article I of the BTWC. Furthermore, once effective agents have been
developed, the intense concern over the drug trade in
drug-consuming states may lead to pressure to use them
covertly, regardless of target country approval.
read on:http://www.edmonds-institute.org/wheelis.htmlOn July 25, the United States rejected a U.N. accord that would have enforced a 1972 treaty banning biological weapons. The treaty prohibited the development and possession of such weapons but has no provisions for checking on suspected violators. They are the only weapons of mass destruction whose proliferation is not currently deterred by an international inspection system.http://www.progressive.org/pmp0701/pmpwa701.html
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Comment #2 posted by mayan on January 16, 2002 at 16:47:37 PT
Herbicide Problems...Duh!
The "60 Minutes" special on the spraying in Columbia was very interesting Sunday evening. It only took them a year or so to cover it but at least they finally ran it! 60 Minutes - Herbicide Problems:
http://www.cbsnews.com/now/story/0,1597,323944-412,00.shtml
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Comment #1 posted by Robbie on January 16, 2002 at 15:40:05 PT
Interesting timing, Johnny
Today, January 16th, is the 82nd anniversary of the beginning of Prohibition.Keep up the good work, Johnny! You should have a drug-free America by 4518! Well, either that or a fascist takeover.
Undernews (This date in history at bottom)
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