U.S. DRUG CZAR SAYS BLOODY CAMPAIGN AGAINST INSURGENTS IS INEVITABLE

BOGOTA -- 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.

Last week, Colombia's largest leftist insurgency declared a freeze on peace
talks that have been President Andres Pastrana's main strategy for ending a
36-year conflict.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, said it was protesting
U.S. military aid and lack of government action against rightist
paramilitary forces waging an unofficial "dirty war" against suspected
leftists.

McCaffrey said FARC is worried that the U.S.-backed offensive, aimed at
eradicating drug crops, will threaten annual cocaine-related income of
between $500 million and $1 billion, which goes to the guerrillas and the
paramilitary group also active in Putumayo -- the United Self- Defense
Forces of Colombia.