DATE=8/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS - COLOMBIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252554
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  The U-S Congress and the White House are at 
odds over the Administration's policy on combating the 
flow of drugs from Colombia.  Republican lawmakers say 
the policy is a complete failure.  But a top adviser 
to President Clinton says the situation in the region 
is evolving, and the White House is adapting.  V-O-A's 
Paula Wolfson reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT:  The atmosphere in the hearing room was tense as 
White House drug policy advisor Barry McCaffrey faced 
some of his toughest critics in Congress.

Florida Republican Dan Mica wasted  no  time beginning 
the assault.  He accused the Administration of 
ignoring for too long the twin dangers posed by 
Colombian drug traffickers and the guerrilla 
insurgency challenging the government in Bogota.

            /// MICA ACT ///

      Colombia's narco-terrorism now poses the single 
      greatest threat to the stability of our entire 
      hemisphere.

            ///END ACT///

Mr. McCaffrey responded with a series of charts 
showing progress in fighting drugs in South America 
throughout this decade - - particularly in Peru.  But 
he said there are signs some of the gains are being 
reversed, and the Administration is rethinking its 
policy.

            ///McCAFFREY ACT///

      Clearly, the situation has changed.  Colombia 
      today is not what it was two years ago.  It is 
      my own view that it takes us about three years 
      to see an idea and turn it into money and an 
      appropriation.

            ///END ACT///

A recurring theme throughout the hearing, which was 
hosted by the House Subcommittee on Drug Policy, was 
the fate of U-S helicopters authorized by Congress for 
use by the Colombian national police in fighting 
narco-traffickers.  Most of the military equipment has 
not  been delivered.  California Republican Doug Ose 
(Oh'-see) could barely contain his anger.

            ///OSE ACT///

I know if there is anybody who can do this, you are 
the man.  I don't understand why we can't get ten 
stinkin' helicopters (only ten helicopters) to 
Colombia.  I am completely frustrated. (OPT) I got 
kids dying in my district.   I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman, 
I yield back (I won't finish my time.) (END OPT)

            ///END ACT///

(OPT) There were other types of frustration voiced 
during the hearing.   Maryland Democrat Elijah 
Cummings spoke of the children he watched grow up in 
the poor drug-infested neighborhoods of Baltimore.  He 
said more money for drug interdiction alone is  not 
enough to save their lives.  He said there must be a 
greater focus on education and treatment.

            ///CUMMINGS ACT///

      Let me tell you something, if you don't have a 
      demand, you don't have to worry about Colombia.  
      You don't have to worry about it! (END OPT)

            ///END ACT///

A number of committees in the House of Representatives 
have focused in recent years on the Colombian problem.   
It's a top priority of Illinois Congressman Dennis 
Hastert,  who became Speaker of the House in January.  
Before he assumed the top job, Mr. Hastert led a 
special congressional panel on drug policy. (Signed)

NEB/PW/KL



06-Aug-1999 13:38 PM EDT (06-Aug-1999 1738 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.