TOUGH FIGHT PREDICTED IN U.S.-BACKED DRUG OFFENSIVE

White House drug czar Barry McCaffrey on Monday predicted heavy fighting in
an approaching U.S.-backed anti-drug offensive and warned that there would
be repercussions for Colombia's neighbors.

But with "vital" U.S. interests at stake, and insurgents growing stronger
through deepening ties to the drug trade, McCaffrey said he saw no
alternative to the $1.3 billion effort set to get under way in January.