SPREADING WAR

Regarding the June 29 article "Colombian rebels release 242 prisoners": The
Bush administration is proposing to regionalize the war in South America
with an Andean Initiative that will give $1.1 billion in mostly military
and police aid to Colombia and its neighbors in 2002.

A more constructive alternative would include debt relief and fair trade
for Colombia, aid for alternative peasant crops and support for human
rights and labor rights.

U.S. Rep. David Price, a member of the House Appropriations Committee,
should vote against military aid to Colombia, against further funds for
aerial spraying of crops and for funds for drug treatment in the United States.

GAIL S. PHARES

Director

Witness for Peace Southeast

Raleigh