CONGRESS CHALLENGES COST OF 'UNWINNABLE' DRUGS WAR

MIAMI - The Bush Administration's controversial strategy to end the
production of cocaine and heroin in Latin America is under fresh
attack from members on both sides of the US Congress, anxious about a
deepening involvement in a war some deem unwinnable.

Tomorrow the Administration is expected to be challenged over the
mounting cost of its Colombia policy when Congress debates the latest
$ 676 million (Pounds 473 million) regional counter-narcotics aid
package. That comes on top of the $ 1.3 billion Congress approved last
year to launch "Plan Colombia".

Several amendments, to be heard tomorrow, will attempt to slash the
anti-drugs budget as well as strictly limiting the use of funds.
Critics are especially alarmed by a new provision to suspend the legal
cap of 300 on the number of civilian contractors Washington can deploy
in Colombia. Some see this as a subtle attempt to increase the US
presence there by using non-military personnel, with overtones of a
Vietnam-style build-up.

Critics say civilian contractors are less accountable to Congress than
US troops or government employees.

Sanho Tree, a director at the Washington-based Institute for Policy
Studies, said: "They are using private contractors because there isn't
the political support at home for sending our own troops. You could
have unlimited numbers of people being sent down there and nobody
would know."

Administration officials say there is a practical and far less devious
explanation for lifting the cap. They point out that contractors
perform various tasks, including implementing US-funded programmes for
alternative development and human rights.

Officials say that as Plan Colombia money flows in with the delivery
of US-supplied Black Hawk helicopters later this year, the cap could
hamper their efforts. American contractors will be needed to provide
maintenance on the aircraft.

Despite concern about the viability of the drugs war, Congress is
likely to back the Administration. Michael Shifter, of the
Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue, said: "There's no momentum
to disengage. There is a commitment but I think there is a lack of
confidence that this is going to be successful."