HELP END CIVIL WAR IN COLOMBIA

I am a Colombian living here, and I am very concerned about my country's
situation and the United States' involvement ("Kolbe says Colombia
terrorists should be next target of U.S.," March 17).

I know our conflict has no easy solution, but the break-up of the peace
talks between guerrillas and the government is already bringing more death
and destruction.

U.S. citizens should take action to stop all attempts to increase military
aid to Colombia under whatever guise (fighting terrorism, stabilizing
Colombia or protecting oil pipelines).

President Bush is requesting $98 million more in military aid and training
just for the Colombian Army's 18th Brigade to protect an oil pipeline
partially operated by Occidental Petroleum.

There are allegations that the 18th Brigade has links to the paramilitary
groups operating in the region and, thereby, could be implicated in human
rights violations.

A shift from the failed war-on-drugs policy to a war on terrorism would
open the floodgates and mean less caution and a greater willingness to
embroil the United States in what many call a Vietnam- like scenario.

A wiser choice would be to support increased funds for drug treatment in
the United States and a negotiated end to the civil war in Colombia.

Ana Maria Vasquez

Works with refugees on the Colombian/ Panamanian border