DATE=8/30/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON-COLOMBIA PROBLEMS
NUMBER=266006
BYLINE=RHODA METCALFE
DATELINE=BOGOTA
CONTENT=




INTRO:  The arrival of President Bill Clinton in 
Colombia Wednesday has stirred up both hopes and fears 
in the population. The visit marks a diplomatic 
breakthrough for the South American country after many 
years of being shunned internationlly for its problems  
with the narcotics trade. As Rhoda Metcalfe reports 
Mr. Clinton's visit is seen as the final seal of 
approval on a new partnership between the US and 
Colombia in the war on drugs.


TEXT:    /// SOUND -- Women singing ///

President Clinton was serenaded from the moment he and 
his powerful political entourage stepped off the 
plane. After years of being blacklisted by the U-S, 
many Colombians treated this visit as the diplomatic 
event of the decade.

Last month, the US Congress approved one-point-three 
billion dollars aid package to help Colombia destroy 
drug crops and fight left-wing guerrillas that protect 
them. But the aid package is controversial in both 
Colombia and the U-S.

As Mr. Clinton landed on the Colombian soil there were 
some protests and marches around the country . 
Students and union leaders also gathered in front of 
the U-S embassy in Bogota and burned several American 
flags.

            /// SOUND -- Man speaking ///

One union leader argued,the Clinton visit marks the 
beginning of serious U-S intervention in Colombia.         
But the U-S President really stole the show with his 
relaxed style and sympathetic conversations with 
widows of Colombian police officers killed in anti-
drug operations.

In a televised address to Colombians the night before 
(Tuesday night), Mr. Clinton tried to reassure them 
that the aid package approved last month by the US  
Congress is more than just military aid. He said its 
also aimed at bringing stability to Colombia's wartorn 
countryside.

            /// CLINTON Act #1 ///

      We have no military objective. We do not believe 
      your conflict has a military solution. Our 
      assistance includes a 10 fold increase in our 
      support  for economic development, good 
      governance, udicial reform and human rights.


             /// End Act ///

But Mr. Clinton also acknowledged the concerns of 
human rights advocates, who adamantly oppose the US 
decision to give over half billion dollars in  
military equipment directly to the Colombian army. 
They argue there is ample evidence that the Colombian 
military is supporting paramilitary assassinations and 
village massacres.  Mr. Clinton tried to reassure 
them.

            /// Clinton Act #2///

      Our package provides human rights training for 
      the Colombian military and the police, and 
      denies U-S assistance to any units of the 
      Colombian security forces involved in human 
      rights abuses or link to abuses by paramilitary 
      forces.


            /// End Act ///

Human rights advocates are not reassured. They say the 
U-S will be hard pressed to find military units 
untainted by paramilitary connections. But some 
Colombians hope with so much international attention 
turned on Colombia now, the military may realize what 
a liability the paramilitaries have become -- and may 
begin to severe their ties. (Signed)


NEB/PT




 



30-Aug-2000 19:26 PM EDT (30-Aug-2000 2326 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.