From: FIDEL CANO <[c--um--a] at [worlweb.net]> Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs To: TALK.POLITICS.DRUGS Subject: COLOMBIA BULLETIN Date: 26 Mar 96 18:05:10 GMT SI USTED QUIERE RECIBIR DIRECTAMENTE ESTE BOLETIN CADA MES, POR FAVOR ENVIE SU DIRECCION ELECTRONICA A [C--UM--A] at [WORLDWEB.NET] IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THIS MONTHLY BULLETIN EVERY MONTH, PLEASE SEND US YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS TO [C--UM--A] at [WORLDWEB.NET.] COLOMBIA BULLETIN. March, 1996 "The Colombian people have suffered great pain in the war against drugs and should not receive additional shocks": European Parliament. Colombia slapped by the U.S. On March 1, 1996, the White House decided to decertify Colombia due to an alleged lack of cooperation in the war against drugs during 1995. This decision ignored the firm commitment that millions of honest and hardworking Colombians have undertaken for more than twenty-five years to combat the narcotics scourge and ignored Colombia½s unprecedent success in these efforts during 1995. "In almost every case," said Ambassador Carlos Lleras, "Colombia met or surpassed the goals set forth in the 1995 State Department`s report. Therefore, how can the U.S. Government claim that Colombia is failing to cooperate?" The U.S. supported its decision with a document plagued with vague remarks and inconsistencies. For instance, while in one section the report states that "the actual hectarage eradicated has not been verified," in another chapter it says that total eradication of cocaine in Colombia amounted 8,750 hectares, while total opium eradication was nil. These last figures are substantially different from those reported in the official minutes of the joint operation "Plan Resplandor," signed by the Ambassador of the U.S. to Colombia, Myles Frechette. These documents confirm that between January 1st. and November 16, 1995, Colombia eradicated 25,402 hectares of coca, as the Embassy of Colombia stated in The War on Drugs 1995. Ironically, just days before the U.S. Government downgraded Colombia, the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) --charged with monitoring countries` performance under the Vienna Convention-- gave Colombia a high rating for its effectiveness in the fight against drugs in 1995. As a statement issued by the Colombian Government said: "This decision shows that the evaluation process developed by U.S. authorities is not made based on objective criteria, but it is affected by political reasons. We consider this interference in Colombian internal affairs inadmissible, and we regret the shift in the policy formally expressed by the United States on this subject." International reaction against decertification The European Parliament approved a resolution that stated: "This unilateral measure just refers to one aspect of the drug question --restrictions to the supply--, and does not address the drug consumption problem." It characterized the U.S. decision as opposed to global development and to international law. The presidents of the Andean Area countries also issued a declaration against the certification process. "Based on international law, we consider inappropriate any unilateral evaluation by a country about the policies of other countries in the drug trafficking problem," the presidents said. The group of Non Aligned Countries stated: "We reject the use of unilateral mechanisms of evaluation, qualification and certification, because they are inconsistent with the principles of non intervention and equality among sovereign States." Colombia keeps fighting the drug scourge In spite of the lack of support displayed by its main partner in the war against drugs, Colombia has made clear that it will continue to pursue the war on drugs, as a national security threat. On March 6, 1996, Colombian authorities proved it again. Jose` Santacruz Londoño, the drug chieftain who escaped from prison early this year creating international headlines, was shot and killed by the Colombian police in Medellín after resisting arrest. General Rosso Jose` Serrano, chief of the National Police, credited this new success to the Colombian people`s "undeniable will to keep fighting with great conviction against drugs." He acknowledged the "great shame" Santacruz`s escape had brought on the country, but pointed out proudly that this operation "was strictly un trabajo criollo" --a Colombian national operation in which no foreign forces took part. The pressure on the drug cartels showed yet another success on March 15, 1996, when the reputed chief of a new generation of Cali drug lords, Juan Carlos Rami`rez, surrendered to the National Police and the Prosecutor General office. Known as "Chupeta" --or "lollipop"-- Rami`rez gave up after a two-day crackdown by Colombia`s antinarcotics squad. Rami`rez is considered the head of a new group that commands about 200 medium-size drug traffickers, and he is among the wealthiest of the new drug lords. After the arrest of six of the cartel`s seven leaders nearly destroyed the organization, Rami`rez and his associates have been trying to recuperate its export capacity. Police efforts are now focussed on Juan Carlos Ortiz, believed to be number 2 in the new leadership, and Helmer Herrera, the only member of the previous leadership still at large. Colombia`s integral anti-drug program continues to score successes in all fronts. Illegal drug crops eradicated from January to February 21: 2,677 hectares. Arrests: 300. Cocaine seized: 3,526 kilos. Drug Labs destroyed: 86. Airstrips destroyed: 15. Aircraft grounded: 8. Vehicles immobilized: 53. Colombia, no doubt, is a serious player in the war against drugs. Published and Distributed By: The Embassy of Colombia 2118 Leroy Place, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 Contact: Fidel Cano (202) 387-8338