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Plan Colombia Machine Powers Ahead in Washington

Submitted March 25, 2004 - 3:01 am by Ron Smith
Colombian president Álvaro Uribe is pumping hands in Washington, seeking support for an extension of the disastrous Plan Colombia. He's getting support from both sides of the aisle, as both Democrats and Republicans are falling over themselves to appear tough on drugs and terrorism, a no-brainer, right?

Agence France Presse provides some insight into the position of leading democrats and republicans on the issue of increasing and extending US Military aid to Colombia in the following article:
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/040325/1/3j0sl.html
El Espectador is also detailing the progress of lobbying for the increase,
http://www.elespectador.com/internacional/nota1.ht m

The bill is apparently in the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the reports are showing that it's a feel good session where all parties agree that Plan Colombia needs to continue. There seems to be no discussion in the hallowed halls of the capitol of the risks of continuing and increasing US military aid to Colombia's military. It seems that the vote will happen after the election and Bill Delahunt, according to the AFP, is waiting to pass judgement until after the election, although it seems unlikely that "Bush-Lite" would have a different position on Colombia than the current administration. It seems to be beyond the cognitive capacity of decision-makers in Washinton that getting more deeply embroiled in Colombia's 40-year civil war could have negative results. The fact is that continued and increased US involvement can only result in US casualties and exponentially more Colombian casualties. As in the 1980's, US policy is driven by a need to appear "tough" on the enemy of the moment. As the US entangled itself in Central America, supporting the side of the wealthy and the violent, the United States seems bent on exacerbating the conflict, all to support short term corporate interests.

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