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IT'S TIME TO STOP DAMAGE TO COLOMBIA

As we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ -- decorating Christmas trees, placing lights in our windows, singing Christmas carols of peace on Earth -- my thoughts go out to the people in southern Colombia who are enduring aerial fumigation with Ultra Round-up financed by U.S.  taxpayers.

Reports coming from the Provincial Health Center in Carchi document that five people died ( two adults and three infants ) as a result of glyphosate fumigation on the Colombian side of the Putumayo River.  The symptoms presented by the dead were hemorrhage, stomach pains, body swelling, fever and diarrhea.

In a recent World Wildlife Fund letter to Sen.  Diane Feinstein ( D-Calif.  ), WWF staff sate, "We do not believe that in bringing an end to the human and ecological damage caused by the illegal drug trade, the U.S.  and Colombian governments are justified in using aerial fumigation tactics that pose serious risks to human and ecosystem health."

So, as you sing those Christmas carols and watch for the first snow flakes, make a call to your senators and congressional representatives protesting aerial spraying of herbicides inn Colombia.  Take action to bring some measure of peace and justice to our Colombian brothers and sisters.

Noreen Ordronneau

Carrboro