Pubdate: Sat, 17 Jun 2000 Source: Daily Yomiuri (Japan) Copyright: 2000 The Yomiuri Shimbun Contact: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/main/main-e.htm G-8 ADDS COLOMBIA TO AGENDA Leaders of the Group of Eight major nations attending the Okinawa Summit in July will call for international support to address issues facing Colombia--a nation plagued by guerrilla activities financed by illegal profits from cocaine and marijuana production--government sources revealed to The Yomiuri Shimbun on Friday. A joint statement by the G-8 leaders in support of revitalizing Colombia's economy is expected to be released. It is the first time that Colombian issues will be discussed at a G-8 summit meeting. The government will also give independent financial and technological support to the country, in addition to the joint support that will be announced at the summit. Cocaine production in Colombia has recently been increasing. There were over 100,000 hectares of coca plantations in the country in 1998--the world's largest production area. The amount of refined cocaine reached 480 tons in 1999, accounting for more than 50 percent of total world production. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart