CONGRESS SHOULD SUPPORT TOUGHER STANCE IN COLOMBIA

The Post's Jan. 18 editorial "New rules for Colombia" was correct in
comparing the similarities betwen Colombia and Afghanistan. The damage
caused to the United States from the rebels in Colombia far exceeds the
harm caused by Al-Qaeda. There were more than 50,000 drug-related deaths
compared with approximately 3,000 terrorist-caused deaths in the U.S. last
year.

In light of this, members of Congress need to do their homework before they
arbitrarily place restrictions on our efforts in the war against drugs.
Their fear of Colombia becoming another Vietnam-style quagmire is
ridiculous. Colombia is fighting only approximately 17,000 rebels, compared
with more than a million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong combatants.
Additionally, in Vietnam the enemy was supplied by both China and the
Soviet Union, while in Colombia, the guerillas rely on kidnapping and an
easily destroyed drug crop for support.

As in Afghanistan, we have the right and should attack the enemy in
Colombia with overwhelming force. The drug crop is the enemy's Achilles'
heel. If it is destroyed, not only will the guerrillas capitulate, but the
entire illegal drug structure will collapse as well.

JAMES E. SCHMIDT, Jupiter

Editor's note: James E. Schmidt is a retired Army Special Forces lieutenant
colonel who served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War.