PLAN COLOMBIA WORKING TO ELIMINATE DRUG TRADE

The war on terror has eclipsed the war on drugs. If Americans hear about
drug control efforts, it's likely in the context of Afghanistan, which in
the post-Taliban era has reclaimed its position as the world's leading
poppy grower and heroin producer. But Colombia, plagued by a 41-year civil
war, remains the lifeblood of the international drug trade and the source
of 90 percent of the cocaine and 50 percent of the heroin sold on American
streets.

The United States is a key supporter of "Plan Colombia," a strategy
designed by the Colombian government, in part, to eliminate the country's
drug trade. Our aid focuses on military solutions. About 75 percent of
American assistance goes to the Colombian army for drug eradication and
provides those forces with training, equipment, and intelligence to root
out drug traffickers and eliminate coca crops. The program makes Colombia
one of the largest recipients of U.S. military aid, after Israel, Egypt,
and Iraq.

Only 25 percent of American support for Plan Colombia supports vital
initiatives like crop substitution to give villagers an alternative to
coca, help for people displaced by fighting, and protection of human
rights. Reporting on the role of civil society in Colombia's struggle
against drugs, the U.S. Institute of Peace found that our counter-narcotics
and anti-terrorism efforts aren't really working.

Despite the United States' $3 billion, five-year counter-narcotics effort,
Colombia remains mired in violence, besieged by political instability and
the center of the world's cocaine trade.

Colombia produces more "internally displaced persons" than almost any other
country. By and large, they live without clean drinking water, sewage
systems, health care, electricity, employment and education. Desperation
makes them easy prey for recruitment by paramilitary and guerrilla forces
offering money and food. It's easy to see how the cycle of instability
rages on. To find real answers, we need to invest in "inclusive security,"
bringing into the peace process not just the warriors and politicians, but
all the players.

The violence has intensified in its reach and cruelty as drug money and
corruption have strengthened the government troops, leftist guerrilla
militias, and right-wing paramilitary forces. Despite these daunting
challenges, a vibrant civil society finds ways to promote peace and
development. Churches, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local and
regional authorities are presenting alternative to violence.

Martha Segura has been a leader on civil society's front lines, overseeing
a network of 1,100 organizations. Established in 1989 as a United Nation's
project, her Colombian Confederation of non-governmental organizations is
coordinating the peace-building work of government, private sector and
international agencies. Her petite frame belies her strength and
determination to end Colombia's struggle, and her dark eyes light up when
she talks about the critical role of grassroots organizations. She insists
that civil society will transform the conflict in Colombia, even when some
government and military officials are skeptical.

Building confidence in non-governmental organizations, Martha's coalition
drafted a formal agreement with four key principles to guide the work of
member organizations: adherence to the Constitution and rule of law;
protection of human rights; decision-making by coalition; and the people's
rights to public goods and services. Agreeing on these ideals, NGOs have
demonstrated that they're working together, despite disparate histories,
goals and cultures. Martha acknowledges that civil society remains
fractured but insists that they have a unified position about the
essential: peace. Passionate about her mission, she explains, "If we can do
this ... all of the aid money for Colombia will have a reason, an order,
and a common path."

Martha has bridged daunting divisions within civil society, built trust
across divides and developed strategies for cooperation among diverse
actors: farmers, the government military, church leaders, guerrillas,
educators and paramilitary forces. In a country where illegal drug trade
fuels civil unrest and ineffective government policies, it makes sense to
raise the voice of people like Martha, who help bring communities together
to address common problems.

Accepting his Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982, Colombian author Gabriel
Garcia Marquez said: "To oppression, plundering and abandonment, we respond
with life. Neither floods nor plagues, famines nor cataclysms, nor even the
eternal wars of century, have been able to subdue the persistent advantage
of life over death." Colombians like Martha Segura are doing just that:
responding to the chaos of war with inspired and inspiring life.

Swanee Hunt is a former U.S. Ambassador to Austria, teaches at Harvard's
Kennedy School of Government.