COLOMBIA TO TEST FUNGICIDE VS. DRUGS

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Colombia has agreed to test a naturally occurring
fungicide to determine whether it is feasible for widespread eradication of
narcotics plants, the State Department said Thursday.

The testing is expected to take about two years to complete, spokesman
Richard Boucher said. " Then it will be up to the government of Colombia to
evaluate the results and determine the next steps, " he said.

The testing, funded by a $3 million U.S. contribution, will be carried out
by Colombia and the U.N. Drug Control Agency.

Colombian Environmental Minister Juan Mayr has been discussing the issue
with administration officials and congressional staff aides.

" What we want is a program of research -- and only research -- on the use
of biological controls against these crops, " Mayr told The New York Times.

Advocates say the fungicide, known as fusarium oxysporum, could be the
answer in the long search for a means of reversing what has been a steady
growth in the production of coca leaf and opium poppy in Colombia.

Colombian drug cartels have been able to offset extensive chemical spraying
by opening up new areas for cultivating narcotics plants.

The proponents say a big advantage of the fungus is that it grows
naturally, is safe for the environment, and that decades must pass before a
treated area is suitable again for growing narcotics plants.

Agriculture Department tests have shown that the fungus will kill narcotics
plants without harming other plants or animal life, advocates says.

" These micro-organisms have the potential to cripple drug crops before
they are even harvested, " one proponent, Republican Sen. Mike DeWine of
Ohio, has said.

DeWine was unavailable for comment on Thursday, but an aide said the
decision was " a positive step forward." Efforts to reach Colombian
officials for comment were unsuccessful.

Rep. Bill McCollum, R-Fl., has said all indications are that the fungicide
" has the potential for making a big difference in the drug war. This could
be the silver bullet." The Colombian decision to go ahead with testing was
made with the strong encouragement of the Clinton administration.

A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there
will be other hurdles to clear if the tests show the product is feasible.

The next problem would be to find a way to produce the fungicide in
quantities that will yield the desired results. In addition, a delivery
mechanism has to be found, the official said.

Administration officials have become increasingly alarmed about the
repeated failure of an extensive eradication program to reverse what they
call an " explosion" in coca production in Colombia.

A CIA estimate in January showed a substantial increase in coca
cultivation, and there is no reason to believe the next estimate, due in
January 2001, will not show another increase, the State Department official
said.

Congress recently approved legislation to provide $1.3 billion to Colombia
to fight narcotraffickers and the insurgents who protect the drug trade.