Pubdate: Tue, 06 Feb 2001
Source: El Pais (Spain)
Contact:   (Spanish language LTEs only)
Address: Miguel Yuste 40, 28037 Madrid, Spain
Website: http://www.elpais.es

UN SAYS PEACE NEEDED TO WAGE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

Peace is needed to eradicate drugs in Colombia, according to Klaus Nyholm, 
head of the UN Drug Control Program in Colombia and Ecuador. In an 
interview with the Cali El Pais, he said alternative programs to improve 
the lives of farmers are more effective in the fight against drugs than 
fumigation and repression of coca crops.

"The guerrillas here have what [others] in Central America do not have, a 
way to finance themselves," Nyholm said. "It is no coincidence that in the 
three countries where the greatest amount of illicit drugs are cultivated 
in the world -- Colombia, Afghanistan and Burma [officially known as 
Myanmar] -- there is also armed conflict."

Although the government's "Plan Colombia" allocates approximately $1 
billion dollars to develop alternative programs for farmers, "I don't 
believe it is possible to eradicate coca and poppy [plants] in Colombia in 
a situation of armed conflict," Nyholm said. "For the final solution, peace 
is needed." Nyholm said results will only be seen when there are real 
negotiations for peace. "We have seen that the FARC [Revolutionary Armed 
Forces of Colombia rebels] has said, with great interest, that they want to 
participate in projects of alternative development, but at the same time 
they are financed with drugs," he said.

Nyholm called on developed countries to provide more assistance in the 
fight against drugs. "The rich countries should help much more with their 
experiences in preventing consumption, but also with economic resources in 
the fight against production," he said
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