LATIN AMERICAN LEADERS URGE BUSH TO CHANGE DRUG WAR TACTICS

A group of seven Latin American leaders has told President George W Bush
that the United States needs to change its tactics in the war on drugs or
risk destabilising much of the Americas.

In an embarrassing challenge to Mr Bush on the eve of the 34-nation Summit
of the Americas in Quebec, his Latin American counterparts are
diplomatically telling him the US-driven war is largely a failure.

The presidents of Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and
Panama will put to Bush a new anti-drugs strategy comprising more carrot and
less stick.

They say Washington's multi-billion dollar drug war centered on Colombia is
creating a new refugee and criminal problem in neighbouring countries.

President Bush has said he wants Congress to fund an escalation of the drug
war with most of the money being spent earmarked for military personnel,
equipment and training.