Colombia prosecutor raps U.S. at drug meeting

CARTAGENA, Colombia (Reuter) Colombia's chief prosecutor Thursday
criticized the United States for failing to attend an international meeting
of counternarcotics experts in this Caribbean port city.

``This is very serious. I censure this action by the United States from every
point of view,'' ProsecutorGeneral Alfonso Valdivieso told reporters.

He said the U.S. boycott of the meeting was inconsistent with Washington's
claim that it is interested in doing everything possible to stem the flow of
illegal narcotics into the United States.

As host, Colombia deserved an explanation of why the United States failed to
attend, he added, saying participants from all 13 countries attending felt
``snubbed'' by Washington.

Valdivieso, Colombia's most popular and respected public official, is an
antidrug crusader who has been singled out for frequent praise by
Washington. He is expected to step down soon to launch a campaign for the
presidency in next year's elections.

Countries represented at the meeting, organized by Colombia's Foreign
Ministry, include Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and a
host of Latin American countries including Cuba.

The United States ``decertified'' Colombia in February for its alleged
failures in the drug war.