OTHER VOICES

In this drug war, there is no retreat

Somewhere, somehow, there must be someone with enough insight, tactical
skills and political courage to define for Congress and the American people
the full truth about Colombia’s illicit narcotics industry.

After more than a decade ... we appear to be getting further away rather
than closer to even modest success in stemming the massive flow of Colombian
drugs into the United States. ...

President Clinton is asking Congress to approve a $1.6 billion anti-drug
package for Colombia that commits military weapons, helicopters and
on-the-ground American soldiers.

Critics say we could be headed for another Vietnam, with U.S. soldiers
projected into a brutal civil war between Colombian government troops and
well-armed guerrillas supported by drug lords.

There’s no assurance our involvement wouldn’t be lengthy.

The alternative to U.S. involvement in Colombia, the administration says, is
a greater, more rapid increase in production and transportation of illicit
narcotics from Colombia into Mexico and then into the U.S. But our
involvement hasn’t made a difference in the past..

We’ve been at it in Colombia for more than a decade. A reasonable wait won’t
hurt while our lawmakers look for counsel from the best and brightest people
they can find.

— American Press, Lake Charles, La.