DATE=1/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ALBRIGHT / COLOMBIA (L)
NUMBER=2-258096
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says it will 
take hard work and determination to implement Colombian 
President Andres Pastrana's plan to fight drug traffickers 
and revive his country's economy.  The Secretary made the 
comments in the Colombian port city of Cartagena, where she 
has been meeting with Mr. Pastrana.  V-O-A's Kyle King has 
this report.

TEXT:  Secretary of State Albright's visit comes just two 
days after the Clinton Administration announced plans for a 
one-point-six-billion-dollar aid program that focuses 
mostly on counter-narcotics efforts.

Senior officials traveling with the Secretary say she hopes 
to use the trip to plant the seeds for a cooperative 
U-S - Colombian relationship that will continue after 
President Clinton leaves office (next year).

Speaking to reporters before beginning her talks with 
President Pastrana, Secretary Albright expressed support 
for his so-called "Plan Colombia."

The program aims to simultaneously negotiate an end to the 
country's guerrilla war, fight narcotics traffickers and 
revive the economy.

            /// 1ST ALBRIGHT ACT ///

      We are very impressed with "Plan Colombia," because 
      it is a comprehensive plan in order to deal with 
      issues that are so important for Colombia, not only 
      the issue of narco-trafficking but the peace process 
      and the economy and helping the social situation.  So 
      it is a comprehensive plan that President Pastrana 
      has designed that we want to support.

            /// END ACT ///

Ms. Albright and Mr. Pastrana are also expected to discuss 
how U-S foreign aid will be used to support the Colombian 
leader's program.

Most of the aid package will go for the purchase of 
military helicopters and equipment, as well as the training 
of two additional anti-drug battalions.

Critics of the plan say the massive increase in U-S aid and 
its focus on military training and equipment will fuel the 
country's three-decades-old guerrilla war.

The government and the country's main guerrilla group 
resumed talks this week, with some rebel leaders expressing 
optimism.

Secretary of State Albright, citing the success of 
neighboring Peru and Bolivia says the Colombian 
government's program can work, but it will not be easy. 

            /// 2ND ALBRIGHT ACT ///

      We do know that various plans in neighboring 
      countries have in fact cut the production and the 
      growth [of narcotics crops] by huge percentages, and 
      we believe that if followed through with the 
      determination that has been shown already and needs 
      to be pursued, that this is how success is achieved, 
      but it clearly takes hard work and determination.

            /// END ACT ///

Over the last decade, drug production in Colombia has more 
than doubled.  Traffickers have benefited from the 
countries civil strife.  Meanwhile, the economy has been 
reeling from a recession.

Secretary of State Albright, who holds another round of 
talks today (Saturday) before departing for Panama and 
Mexico, says she also wants to discuss how other countries 
can help in Colombia's recovery.   (Signed)

NEB/KBK/WTW



14-Jan-2000 23:25 PM EDT (15-Jan-2000 0425 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.