COLOMBIA DRUG WAR IS A LOSING BATTLE FOR U.S.

Since 2000, U.S. assistance to Colombia has been $3.9 billion, of
which $3.14 billion has been used to fund Colombia's military, police
and drug-crop eradication by aerial fumigation. Bush wants to
reauthorize this aid for another five years.

The purpose of this program is to decrease the amount and increase the
price of cocaine in the United States.

The Times calls the program "a remarkable success," citing a 30%
decrease in coca production. Not mentioned is the fact that coca
production in neighboring Bolivia has meanwhile increased.
Furthermore, both the availability and the price of cocaine on U.S.
streets have remained the same since 1995.

So, what has been accomplished for our $3.14 billion? The Colombian
military, the chief beneficiary of U.S. aid, continues to be a
perpetrator of human rights abuses. Rural populations caught in the
crossfire between armed groups flee to population centers, where they
live in poverty. Suppression of voices of descent makes it dangerous
to work for change.

Colombia holds the world's record for assassinations of labor union
leaders. Church leaders working to empower the poor are threatened and
killed. Is this how we want our tax dollars spent?

Merilie Robertson

Canoga Park