President Andres Pastrana said he was “extraordinarily pleased” with his meeting with US President Bill Clinton, saying it boosted their "strategic alliance" against drug trafficking and for democracy.
"We got total support from the United States for Colombia's government and people, there's a bipartisan policy in fighting drug trafficking; we touched on the key issue of trade” Pastrana told reporters late Wednesday after Clinton returned to Washington.
During his brief, 10-hour visit, Clinton pledged US support for Pastrana's anti-drug campaign and reassured his audience that Colombia would not turn into another Vietnam for the United States.
Clinton's visit marked the launching of Plan Colombia, an ambitious 7.5-billion-dollar package of economic and security measures designed to jump-start the country's economy, curb drug trafficking and end decades of leftist insurgency.
"I believe this will work because I think that this president and this government are willing to take the risks necessary to make it work," Clinton said after meeting Pastrana.
The United States has earmarked 1.3 billion dollars to back Plan Colombia. Part of the money will be used to purchase 60 US combat helicopters and train Colombian troops involved in the campaign against drug cartels.
"Our program is anti-drug and pro-peace," assured Clinton, saying that in his talks with Pastrana he had reaffirmed US support for his peace process with Colombian rebels.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has warned that US military aid to Colombia "could result in the escalation of the conflict and Vietnamization of the entire area."
Clinton made clear he believed such comparisons were unjustified.
"There won't be American involvement in a shooting war, because they don't want it and because we don't want it," he told a news conference.
He said Plan Colombia also included funds to help neighboring countries deal with drug trafficking.
For his part, Pastrana described Plan Colombia as "a plan for peace."
"It's a social plan," he argued. "Seventy-five percent of Plan Colombia will go to social investment, to capacity building, alternative developments."
Clinton's visit was strongly opposed by leftist rebels, who declared the US president persona non grata. Far from cutting back on violence, the rebel groups stepped up their attacks on Wednesday.
.Anti-US demonstrations were held in several other cities, including outside Cartagena, where hundreds of students and workers burned US flags -- CARTAGENA (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
