Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jul 2000 Source: Athens Daily News (GA) Copyright: 2000 Athens Newspapers Inc. Address: PO Box 912, Athens, GA 30603 Fax: 706-208-2246 Feedback: http://www.onlineathens.com/feedback.shtml Website: http://www.onlineathens.com/ Forum: http://www.onlineathens.com/community/forums.shtml Note: This was published in the Athens Daily News, but was first published in the American Press (LA). DRUG WAR IS INEFFECTIVE Somewhere, somehow, there must be someone with enough insight, tactical skills and political courage to define for Congress and the American people the full truth about Colombia's illicit narcotics industry. After more than a decade we appear to be getting further away rather than closer to even modest success in stemming the massive flow of Colombian drugs into the United States. President Clinton is asking Congress to approve a $1.6 billion anti-drug package for Colombia that commits military weapons, helicopters and on-the-ground American soldiers. Critics say we could be headed for another Vietnam, with U.S. soldiers projected into a brutal civil war between Colombian government troops and well-armed guerrillas supported by drug lords. There's no assurance our involvement wouldn't be lengthy. The alternative to U.S. involvement in Colombia, the administration says, is a greater, more rapid increase in production and transportation of illicit narcotics from Colombia into Mexico and then into the United States. But our involvement hasn't made a difference in the past. We've been at it in Colombia for more than a decade. A reasonable wait won't hurt while our lawmakers look for counsel from the best and brightest people they can find. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek