Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jul 2002
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2002 The Baltimore Sun, a Times Mirror Newspaper
Contact:  http://www.sunspot.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?172 (Peruvian Aircraft Shooting)

DRUG FLIGHTS MAY AGAIN BE TARGET OF U.S.

Bush Expected To Resume Program In S. America

WASHINGTON - The program to force down or shoot down airplanes suspected of 
carrying drugs in Latin America is expected to be resumed, a senior Bush 
administration official said yesterday.

The timing of President Bush's decision remains uncertain, said the 
official, who spoke only on condition of anonymity. The program was stopped 
after an American missionary and her infant daughter were killed in Peru 
last year when their plane was shot down by mistake.

White House press secretary Ari Fleischer confirmed that administration 
officials have formally recommended that Bush "resume this program with new 
safeguards."

"This is something the president is very interested in," Fleischer said.

Cautioning that Bush "has not yet made a formal decision on this matter," 
Fleischer added:

"The president very much wants to take strong actions to fight drug 
narcotics trafficking in South America. We will work closely with our 
allies there."
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