ERADICATION PLAN WON'T STOP DRUG USE OR BENEFIT COLOMBIA

Peter Romero's column "Colombia wars won't be another Vietnam for U.S."
(Opinion * Commentary, March 23) promotes Plan Colombia, which is designed
to interdict drugs and reduce the flow of cocaine to our country. He says
the numerous unfavorable reports about Plan Colombia are largely
misrepresentations.

But in Colombia, U.S.-backed mercenaries run radar installations, pilot
helicopter gunships and spray planes. These planes have decimated coca and
food crops alike, forcing peasants into slums in and near cities. With
assistance from the paramilitary forces, large landowners will seize much
of their abandoned land.

Decades of experience show source-country eradication efforts have no
significant effect on U.S. drug use. The Bush administration should end
military aid to Colombia and stop aerial crop fumigation. Instead, we
should provide funds for crop substitution for small farmers and work to
strengthen the Colombian state.

Kevin Fansler, Havre de Grace