NEIGHBORS TOLD TO BACK COLOMBIA

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- Instead of complaining that a U.S.-backed
anti-drug war might cause the conflict to spill across its borders,
Colombia's neighbors should join the effort, the country's foreign minister
said.

All five countries bordering Colombia have expressed concern about a
military offensive aimed at wresting control of Colombia's drug-producing
plantations from armed groups that "tax" the narcotics industry and earn
huge profits.

"Colombia wishes there to be solidarity and cooperation among its friends,"
Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto said in an interview, adding
that Colombia's neighbors share some responsibility -- at least indirectly
- -- for the violence.

Colombia has said some weapons captured from rebels came from Venezuelan
security forces. Former security force members in Peru have also been
implicated in gunrunning to Colombian rebels.