DATE=3/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - COLOMBIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259930
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:   President Clinton says he believes Congress 
will approve his request for one-point-six billion 
dollars in aid to Colombia to fight drug trafficking 
there - despite concerns among some lawmakers that the 
plan could draw U-S troops into that country's long 
and bloody civil war.   Correspondent Deborah Tate 
reports from the White House.

TEXT:  Members of Congress in both political parties 
have expressed serious doubts about the 
administration's request for aid to Colombia - much of 
which is to go toward providing training and equipment 
to create new anti-drug battalions in the Colombian 
army.   They fear the plan would draw the United 
States into a Vietnam-style quagmire.

But Mr. Clinton, in an appearance before reporters 
Tuesday, dismissed such a comparison.

            /// FIRST CLINTON ACTUALITY ///

      All I can tell you is that it is not like 
      Vietnam in the sense that we are not making a 
      commitment to train soldiers in a way that we 
      will then be called upon and replace them or 
      fight with (alongside) them or work with them.  

            /// END ACT ///

Instead, Mr. Clinton says some of the funds will be 
used to train soldiers to support police in counter-
narcotics operations.  The president also addressed 
lawmakers' concerns about allegations the Colombian 
army has been involved in human rights abuses and has 
been linked to paramilitary groups blamed for civilian 
deaths and threats against human rights investigators.

Mr. Clinton says the Colombian security forces that 
would receive U-S training would be vetted (checked) 
to be sure they have not taken part in such abuses - 
although he suggested such a system may not be 
perfect.

            /// SECOND CLINTON ACTUALITY ///

      Can I tell you that there will never be a dollar 
      of this that will be spent in a way that I would 
      not want?  No one can say that.  But I can say 
      this: we are a lot better off trying to help 
      stabilize Colombia and save democracy there, and 
      help them fight narcotics there, and keep drugs 
      out of this country, than if we walk away from 
      it.   I think the consequences if we just walk 
      away are pretty clear, and if we help them, we 
      just might make it and turn the situation 
      around.   

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Clinton believes that ultimately Congress will 
back his aid package.

The administration plan is aimed at curbing the rising 
production of cocaine and heroin in Colombia, 
strengthening the government in Bogota and helping it 
take control of a large part of the country's southern 
territory now dominated by rebels.  (signed)

Neb/dat/gm



07-Mar-2000 15:31 PM EDT (07-Mar-2000 2031 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.