DATE=7/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COLOMBIA-PLANE-DRUGS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252178
BYLINE=BILL RODGERS
DATELINE=BOGOTA
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:

INTRO: Rescue workers in Colombia have been hampered by 
the weather in determining whether plane wreckage 
spotted in the Colombian jungle belongs to a U-S 
military aircraft that disappeared Friday during an 
anti-drug mission.  As VOA's Bill Rodgers reports from 
Bogota, the effort continued as the head of the U-S 
drug policy office met Monday with top Colombian 
officials to discuss the drug war. 

TEXT: U-S military authorities say rescue workers are 
waiting for better weather before trying to land in an 
area of southern Colombia near the Ecuadoran border 
where the wreckage of a plane was spotted Sunday.  More 
than a dozen military aircraft have been deployed in 
the search for the U-S military plane that disappeared 
Friday during an anti-drug mission.  The plane was 
carrying five American soldiers and two Colombian 
military officers. 

As the effort continued, the head of the U-S drug 
control policy office, Barry McCaffrey, told reporters 
in Bogota he fears those on board the missing plane are 
dead.

                                /// McCaffrey Act ///

It's premature to have any findings or conclusions 
about this flight until Colombian police forces 
are at the crash sight. (But) many of us fear that 
five brave young U-S army aviators and two 
Colombian air force officers have lost their lives 
flying a counter-drug mission.

                                 /// End Act ///

Mr. McCaffrey, a retired U-S army general, spoke Monday 
after meeting with Colombian President Andres Pastrana 
to discuss the joint U-S and Colombian anti-drug 
effort.  The United States is providing 289 million 
dollars to help Colombia halt drug trafficking and 
cultivation - but there are proposals to raise this 
figure even higher.

Colombia is embroiled in a war against leftist 
guerrillas, many of whom also have ties to drug 
smugglers.  In recent weeks, the fighting has escalated 
as a peace process between the government and the 
country's main rebel group has stalled. 

Mr. McCaffrey said Washington is studying various 
proposals - including a Colombian request for a half a 
billion dollar military aid package - a Congressional 
move to increase aid to almost one billion dollars, and 
a wider initiative proposed by his office.  The U-S 
drug policy official said what is clear is that 
Washington is concerned about the situation in 
Colombia.

                                ///McCaffrey Act///

What is not open to debate is that the U-S has 
enormous national self-interest involved in the 
freedom and economic vitality of 37 million 
Colombians.  So in our own view we need to listen 
very carefully to the regional leadership and 
where it seems sensible provide resources, and 
training and equipment to support their efforts.

                                ///End Act///

Mr. McCaffrey's two-day stay in Colombia is the first 
stop in a trip to the region, which includes visits 
later this week to Ecuador and Curacao. (Signed)  

NEB/BR/TVM/PT

26-Jul-1999 18:43 PM LOC (26-Jul-1999 2243 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.