COLOMBIA'S PRESIDENT WON'T SAY THAT REBELS ARE TRAFFICKING DRUGS

BOGOTA, Colombia -- The presidents of Colombia and Mexico yesterday cast
doubt on assertions by U.S. and other officials that Colombian rebels were
trafficking drugs -- an international crime that could result in their
extradition for trial abroad.

Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Rand Beers recently asserted that the
rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and drug traffickers
"are the same thing," and held out the possibility they could be extradited
to the United States.

But Colombian President Andres Pastrana, who met with President Vicente Fox
of Mexico yesterday, said that "for the moment no proof or evidence exists
that the FARC is a drug cartel."

Fox echoed Pastrana's comments at a joint news conference, saying there is
"no confirmation" that the FARC is selling drugs to powerful Mexican drug
cartels, who transship cocaine and heroin from Colombia to the United States.

The FARC has admitted to "taxing" Colombian peasant farmers who grow drug
crops, along with a rival right-wing paramilitary group, but denies it
smuggles cocaine or works directly with international drug traffickers.

The comments from the presidents come two days after Colombia's army chief
said he would deliver evidence to prosecutors and international bodies
showing the FARC is selling cocaine to international traffickers.

Calling drug trafficking a "scourge," Fox and Pastrana created a joint
security council composed of their defense ministers and other top
officials to enhance cooperation in the drug war. Pastrana and Fox also
urged the United States to cut drug consumption and criticized Washington's
annual certification of other countries' cooperation in the drug war.

"It is a process that only irritates and offends our countries," Fox said.

Fox said he supported Pastrana's efforts to end Colombia's 37-year war and
said FARC rebels must demonstrate a greater commitment to peace. Fox hinted
he might close their offices in Mexico if that does not occur.

"They will be welcome in Mexico as long as they are making a real effort
for peace," said Fox, who was on his first trip to another Latin American
country since taking office in December. "There has to be a commitment by
both sides."

Pastrana's two-year effort to negotiate peace with the rebels has yielded
little, with the FARC refusing a cease-fire or any other major concessions.
Guerrilla attacks and charges of deepening involvement in the drug trade
have stained the image of the talks.

Fox has publicly supported Plan Colombia, Pastrana's war on drugs that
Washington is helping finance with $1.3 billion in mostly military aid.
Under the plan, hundreds of square miles of drug-producing plantations are
targeted for aerial fumigation, with the planes protected by U.S.-trained
troops and U.S.-supplied helicopters.

In a statement, Fox and Pastrana also said the April 20-22 Summit of the
Americas in Quebec is an opportunity to expand free trade throughout the
hemisphere.