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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=4438838 US army chief of staff arrives in Bogota -Colombian armed forces commander Fernando Tapias and Army commander Jorge Mora accompanied Shinseki to the Tolemaida military base some 300 km west of Bogota, a training ground for elite troops, as well as the Tres Esquinas base 900 km south of Bogota, where hundreds of US advisers have already trained more than 2,000 Colombian soldiers in the anti-drug fight. AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2002 9:06:59 AM BOGOTA: US Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki arrived here Wednesday to map out a bilateral anti-drug strategy, two days after US officials unsealed an indictment of three guerrilla leaders on drug charges. Shinseki met with President Andres Pastrana and leaders of the Colombian armed forces at the presidential palace before traveling to military bases, according to officials. Earlier in the week, the United States promised increased military hardware and intelligence for Colombia's war against groups of insurgents, especially in the wake of an incitement accusing guerrilla leaders of trafficking cocaine meant for US markets. Colombian prosecutors promised to use US evidence and intelligence to capture and extradite three guerrilla leaders and four others to the United States. Colombian armed forces commander Fernando Tapias and Army commander Jorge Mora accompanied Shinseki to the Tolemaida military base some 300 km west of Bogota, a training ground for elite troops, as well as the Tres Esquinas base 900 km south of Bogota, where hundreds of US advisers have already trained more than 2,000 Colombian soldiers in the anti-drug fight. The latter is near coca-growing areas as well as the Switzerland-sized enclave the Colombian government ceded to the 16,500-strong Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) during a three-year peace process. When that process ended on February 20, soldiers who retook the zone found two cocaine laboratories and 7.4 tonnes of cocaine. Evidence of drug trafficking by Colombia's insurgents allowed officials from US President George W. Bush's administration to direct military aid to counter-insurgency efforts. It had previously been restricted by Congress and by a previous presidential directive to the anti-narcotics fight. The United States has already earmarked 1.3 billion dollars largely for use by the Colombian military. And Bush promised additional monies to protect oil installations that are regularly attacked by the National Liberation Army (ELN). On Tuesday, Bush said that right-wing paramilitaries of the 10,000-strong United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) will be part of the anti-insurgency fight. AUC, like the FARC and the ELN, is on the US list of terrorist organisations. AFP __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Movies - coverage of the 74th Academy Awards® http://movies.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
