RETOOL U.S. POLICY ON COLOMBIA

In response to the July 10 ar ticle "Jailed activists finally to meet with
DeWine":

Congratulations to the 10 nonviolent activists who will be meeting with
Sen. Mike DeWine on Aug. 13 to discuss U.S. policy toward Colombia. There
are many more in Northeast Ohio who are concerned with U.S. policy and many
more should become concerned, especially with DeWine's views.

U.S. policy in Colombia is having a significant effect on the people and
the environment of the Amazon Basin. Innocent people are being killed by
U.S.-supported paramilitaries; children are being harmed by deadly
chemicals sprayed to eliminate drug production; and hundreds of union
organizers have been killed in Colombia for trying to promote workers rights.

Soon Congress will begin making its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Northeast Ohioans can help the people of Colombia by voicing their concerns
to Sens. DeWine and George Voinovich, and to their representatives in the
House.

For more information about U.S. policy toward Colombia and other areas of
Latin America, visit the Center for International Policy's Web site at
http://www.ciponline.org/.

Christopher G. Kerr, Cleveland - Kerr works for the InterReligious Task
Force on Central America.