Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 Source: Washington Times (DC) Copyright: 2000 News World Communications, Inc. Contact: http://www.washtimes.com/ COLOMBIA DRUG WAR FACES SHARP ATTACK LOS POZOS, Colombia -Washington's escalating drug war in Colombia is expected to come under sharp attack at an international peace conference opening today in this tiny village in the country's coca-growing south. Hosted by leftist guerrillas and the government as part of negotiations to end the Andean country's 36-year conflict, the Conference on Illegal Drug Crops and the Environment will be attended by delegates from 21 countries, including Britain, Spain, France, Canada and Japan - but not the United States. The U.S. government declined, citing a prohibition on official contacts with Colombia's largest rebel band, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck