DATE=11/20/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=COLOMBIA/U-S (L-ONLY)

BYLINE=RHODA METCALFE

DATELINE=BOGOTA

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Colombia, top U-S military and government officials have given their assurances that U-S government support for the anti-drug fight in Colombia will remain firm, regardless of who wins the disputed U-S presidential election. A high-level U-S government delegation spent the past three days visiting Bogota, as Rhoda Metcalfe reports from the capital.

TEXT: These are uncertain times for Colombia. Both the peace process and the countrys anti-drug fight are in turmoil.

But according to U-S Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering, the Colombian people can depend on one thing - continuing U-S support for the anti-drug strategy known as Plan Colombia.

/// ACT - PICKERING SPEAKING IN SPANISH ///

Speaking at a news conference in Bogota, Mr. Pickering said that no matter who emerges as U-S president, Washington must continue supporting the Colombian anti-drug fight.

The U-S government has so far promised one billion dollars in military and development aid to back Plan Colombia. It has been controversial. Many analysts argue that the anti-drug strategy, which leans heavily on aerial spraying to destroy drug crops, may simply push cultivation into neighboring

countries.

But U-S anti-drug Czar General Barry McCaffrey, who also participated in this week's consultations, says he believes the plan will succeed and will help Colombias peace process by squeezing off an important financing source for both left-wing rebel groups and right-wing paramilitary squads.

/// ACT - MCCAFFREY ///

It is my professional judgment from watching your political leadership that in the coming five years you will achieve your objective of separating the drug money from the FARC, the ELN and the AUC.

///END ACT ///

General McCaffrey acknowledged that Colombias neighbors are justified in fearing a spillover of drug production into their territories. But he pointed to the United States commitment to fighting drugs throughout the region. He also recognized that the United States must do more to reduce drug consumption at home - that a drop in demand would be the best support the United States could offer Colombia.

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