Pubdate: Sat, 23 Dec 2000 Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2000 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Contact: PO Box 120191, San Diego, CA, 92112-0191 Fax: (619) 293-1440 Website: http://www.uniontrib.com/ Forum: http://www.uniontrib.com/cgi-bin/WebX NEIGHBORS TOLD TO BACK COLOMBIA BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- Instead of complaining that a U.S.-backed anti-drug war might cause the conflict to spill across its borders, Colombia's neighbors should join the effort, the country's foreign minister said. All five countries bordering Colombia have expressed concern about a military offensive aimed at wresting control of Colombia's drug-producing plantations from armed groups that "tax" the narcotics industry and earn huge profits. "Colombia wishes there to be solidarity and cooperation among its friends," Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto said in an interview, adding that Colombia's neighbors share some responsibility -- at least indirectly - -- for the violence. Colombia has said some weapons captured from rebels came from Venezuelan security forces. Former security force members in Peru have also been implicated in gunrunning to Colombian rebels. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D