US CRITICIZES EUROPE ON DRUG FIGHT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Lawmakers and the Bush administration expressed
frustration Thursday with the aid European nations have provided so far to
help drug fighting efforts in the Andean nations of South America.

"One-third of the cocaine from this region is now headed for Europe," said
Rep. Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y., " and places like Holland, Belgium and others
in Europe provide large uncontrolled quantities of the precursor chemicals
to the region that help make the drugs, which, in turn, flow back to Europe."

The Bush administration has budgeted $882 million in aid for a drug
fighting effort targeting several Andean nations in a follow-up program to
" Plan Colombia" that directs more attention to social and economic
programs than last year' s military-heavy plan.

Last year, the United States provided Colombia with $1.3 billion in aid,
mostly in combat helicopters and other military assistance. Bordering
countries soon sought similar U.S. aid as they detected Colombian narcotics
producers moving in and other effects of " Plan Colombia" spilling over
their borders.

So far, Europe has provided $300 million to the effort, said Michael Deal
of the U.S. Agency for International Development' s Latin American bureau.

Deal called the contribution substantial, but disappointing.

" We think they could do a lot more, " he told members of the House
International Relations Subcommittee.

However, now that the U.S. has widened its focus from Colombia to the
entire Andean region -- and shifted from a military emphasis to a more
balanced approach -- European nations are indicating a willingness to help
more, said William Brownfield, a deputy assistant secretary of state
dealing with Western Hemisphere matters.

" But I don' t wish to understate this case. We had hoped for more. We are
disappointed so far, " Brownfield said.