Clinton Backs Role in Colombia
Sat Jun 29, 7:27 PM ET
By JUAN PABLO TORO, Associated Press Writer
CARTAGENA, Colombia (AP) - Former President Clinton ( news - web sites) said Saturday that he backs broadening military aid from Washington to battle insurgents in Colombia.
At a conference on how the private sector can help resolve the nation's 38-year conflict, Clinton described Colombia as a crucial "battleground in humanity's war against terror."
He made the comments in this steamy Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena as Congress considers lifting restrictions on U.S. counterdrug money to fight insurgent groups in Colombia. Clinton pushed through $1.7 billion in drug-fighting aid during his presidency.
The conflict sets two main rebel groups against a right-wing paramilitary army and the government. The U.S. State Department has placed all three illegal groups on its list of terrorist organizations.
Clinton said Colombia's government should be allowed to use U.S. aid "not only against drug trafficking, but in a direct confrontation against those terrorist groups."
After the conference, President Andres Pastrana accompanied Clinton on a walk through the walled colonial city that the former president visited once before in 2000. Enthusiastic crowds shook Clinton's hand and posed with him for pictures.
Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass., who also attended, called on Colombians to show they're willing to make sacrifices to end the war.
"I believe Congress will be reluctant to increase our share of the assistance until it is demonstrated that the private sector is willing to bear much of the sacrifice for this very tragic conflict," Delahunt said.
Addressing the conference earlier Saturday, President-elect Alvaro Uribe — who begins his term Aug. 7 — urged private security firms to help the government monitor insurgents and said he would propose a war tax on private businesses.
Thousands of trained police and military personnel swarmed over Cartagena during Clinton's visit. Authorities sent helicopter gunships, airplanes and boats to patrol the air and waters around the walled city.
Clinton also criticized rebel threats to kidnap or kill more than 100 mayors and hundreds of other government employees if they don't resign.
The threats this month have paralyzed municipal governments. Pastrana has responded by offering the threatened city officials protection through a program funded by the United States as part of the aid package that Clinton pushed through.
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