Pubdate: Mon,  4 Feb 2002
Source: Reuters (Wire)
Copyright: 2002 Reuters Limited

US SEEKS FUNDS FOR 2ND DRUG BRIGADE IN COLOMBIA

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration asked Congress for funds to train a 
second anti-drug brigade in the Colombian army as part of an Andean 
counterdrug initiative expanded by 14 percent to $731 million in 2003.

According to budget documents released Monday, the U.S. contribution to the 
initiative would increase to $731 million from an estimated $643 million in 
this financial year.

"In 2003 the funds will support counterdrug activities, the creation of a 
second Colombian Army Counterdrug Brigade, economic development and 
democratic institution building efforts in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, 
Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela and Panama," the budget said.

The Washington Times reported Monday the administration would submit to 
Congress later this month a plan for training Colombian troops and wiping 
out the coca crop, from which cocaine is derived.

It said the plan would rely heavily on Army Special Forces or Green Berets 
attached to the 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. But 
sources told the newspaper there were no plans to have the Green Berets, 
used extensively in the war in Afghanistan, take part in combat.

The United States would also train local troops to protect the country's 
oil pipelines, frequent targets of leftist rebel armies at war with the 
Colombian government for decades.

U.S. officials told the newspaper the proposal also called for increased 
intelligence sharing with Colombia.

The United States has spent more than $1.5 billion in the past three years 
to stop cocaine production in the Andes but the budget said the effect was 
not yet clear on the cultivation and export of cocaine.

Colombia produces about 80 percent of the world's cocaine and is a leading 
supplier of heroin to the United States.
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