POWELL'S COLOMBIA CHALLENGE

The merciless slaughter that is bleeding beautiful Colombia to death
must be stopped. The United States and all the other democratic
nations of the hemisphere are morally bound to come to the help of the
stricken country. But this country must avoid being sucked into
Colombia's many-sided civil war. That is why the presence of retired
Gen. Colin Powell at the State Department will be reassuring.

His dedication to what has become known as "The Powell Doctrine"
should safeguard the $1.4 billion dollar "Plan Colombia" from
spiraling out of control. The plan sets down a strictly limited role
for U.S. military trainers who will teach the Colombian military to
use the weapons and equipment that Washington is providing. The enemy
that we hope to help the Colombian security forces defeat are the
narcotics cartels.

Gen. Powell has consistently argued that before the United States
commits to the use of military force, a specific and limited objective
must be established and that there must be a clear exit strategy.

In the case of Colombia, there should be no American troops fighting.
But the United States entered the dark tunnel of the Vietnam War with
a pledge to provide only advisers and training. Gen. Powell can be
expected to apply his doctrine to "Plan Colombia" so that U.S.
involvement does not escalate.

Colombia today is the savage scene of many wars.

The drug traffickers use their enormous wealth to recruit both
left-wing guerrillas and right-wing para-military groups to protect
their lucrative business. At the same time, the left-wing guerrillas
are at war with the democratically elected government of Colombia. The
right-wing private armies have, in the past, been clear allies of the
Colombian armed forces. But neither the armed groups of the left nor
the right should be enemies or allies of the United States.

Secretary of State designate Powell once described his doctrine as
"just common sense." It calls for clear political objectives and a
plan that will achieve those objectives. That is precisely what is
required to ensure that "Plan Colombia" does not get out of hand.