COCA PRODUCTION ROSE IN COLOMBIA, ACCORDING TO U.S. INVENTORY OF CROP

WASHINGTON -- Contradicting Colombian estimates, the U.S. said Thursday
coca production in that country increased last year.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy called the increase
troubling but said a third of it was due to the inclusion of an area that
was not surveyed in 2000 because of cloud cover.

Based on satellite imagery, the coca crop was reported to be 169,800
hectares last year, 33,600 more than in 2000, an official statement said.

"The figures underscore the pervasiveness of cultivation and trafficking in
Colombia; the magnitude and complexity of Colombia's interlocking security,
drug control, and economic challenges; and the need for sustained U.S.
engagement," it said.

Last week, Colombian Justice Minister Romulo Gonzalez said coca production
had dropped significantly, to 134,400 hectares last December from 156,800
hectares under cultivation 16 months ago.

The U.S. began sharply increased counter-narcotics assistance to Colombia
in 2000, approving the delivery of helicopters and other equipment and the
training of anti-narcotics brigades.

At the time, officials cautioned that it would take time for significant
results to show.

"Although the full complement of counter-drug and development resources is
still arriving in Colombia, we recognize that our efforts to date have not
yet produced the results we had hoped to achieve," the White House
statement said.

It said the security environment in Colombian drug cultivation regions has
made it difficult to implement counter-drug programs.

"We will continue to work with the Government of Colombia to achieve our
mutual objectives of strengthening democracy, eliminating drug trafficking,
and enforcing the rule of law," the statement added.

In contrast to the gloomy White House assessment, Mr. Gonzalez said the
Colombian government's figures are "a clear demonstration" that the
eradication program is working.

The U.S. State Department said in a report issued last week that nearly
twice and many acres were sprayed in Colombia last year compared with 2000.

Colombia is the world's largest producer and distributor of cocaine.