COLOMBIA'S WAR IS ALSO OURS

President Bill Clinton last week signed a bill to give Colombia $1.3
billion in counter narcotics aid. In doing so, the president, along with
Congress, took an important step towards addressing voters' concerns over
illicit drug use.

Colombia provides the United States with about 80 percent of its cocaine
and about 70 percent of its heroin. By giving Colombia the tools it needs
to combat narcotrafficking, the United States hopes to slow the flow of
drugs onto these shores.

But there is another reason why the aid to Colombia is important. The
United States is the world's largest cocaine consumer, with an annual rate
of about 300 tons a year. The U.S. appetite for drugs is therefore a large
part of the problem. Washington has the moral imperative to help Colombia
combat its drug scourge.

Demand for drugs is propagating blood curdling violence in many parts of
the world, especially Colombia. Many Americans are ignorant of the kind of
torment they are abetting by enriching narcotraffickers. A look at pictures
of massacres in Colombia, where victims are often mutilated, should make
recreational drug use less attractive. Rebel and paramilitary forces, which
profit handsomely from the drug trade, think little of butchering
innocents. In one recent massacre in Colombia, paramilitary forces
reportedly killed villagers by either strangling them with metal wires,
cutting their throats out, beheading, clubbing or shooting them to death.

"We'd rather see drug consumption drop than get any of this aid," said
former Colombian police chief, Gen. Jose Serrano, in an interview with the
Associated Press last month. "If consumption were seriously reduced," he
added, "this country could go back to what it once was, a place that grew
coffee, where people worked hard and sweated for a paycheck."

Unfortunately, though, Americans seem intent on shoving white powder up
their noses. National programs to curb demand haven't had the desired
effect. Battling the problem at its supply source therefore remains crucial
and Washington shoulders a responsibility in providing the funds for the
effort. Mr. Serrano, who is widely admired in the United States and
Colombia for leading a valiant and effective war on drugs, said that he
welcomes the U.S. aid package because it will send a tough message to drug
traffickers. But he cautions that the progress in Colombia may serve only
to drive traffickers to neighboring countries. Washington must also make
very clear to Colombia that if the armed forces fail to penalize human
rights abusers, the aid will be immediately suspended.

Wednesday, Mr. Serrano will be the first non-DEA agent to be honored with
the special agent's badge. At least Washington will be able to point to a
substantive contribution to the war on drugs when the general arrives in
the United States.