Colombia-US-Tensions
7-8-1994
^U.S.-Colombia Relations Worsen Over Drug-War Tactics
^By ANDREW SELSKY
^Associated Press Writer
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) _ Colombian officials reacted angrily Friday to a U.S. warning that Colombia faces a reduction in aid unless the government steps up its war on the drug trade.
"We haven't accepted and we won't accept that the formation of our anti- drug policy be the result of interference, pressure or unfriendly actions of any state," the Colombia foreign ministry said in a message to the U.S. Department of State.
Relations between Colombia and the United States, once firm allies, have deteriorated over U.S. suspicions the Colombian government is coddling traffickers, who supply 80 percent of the world's cocaine.
U.S. officials have criticized Prosecutor General Gustavo de Greiff for offering leniency to kingpins who surrender and for advocating legalization of drugs.
In another sign of the pervasiveness of drug lords - and drug money - in Colombia, a senior law enforcement official said a money launderer for the Cali cocaine cartel was heard on police wiretaps in the past year discussing making campaign contributions to President-elect Ernesto Samper. But, he said, the investigation was abruptly halted.
"The police conducting the investigation said they dropped it because it was too hot," the official said on condition of anonymity. "They said 'It will wreck our careers.'"
Colombia battled and wiped out the Medellin cartel, which conducted a 10- year war of assassinations and bombings, but despite U.S. pressure has not mounted a similar aggressive operation against the Cali gang.
U.S. drug agents have long suspected the Cali cartel, the world's biggest cocaine trafficking gang with billions of dollars in profits, has infiltrated top levels of Colombia's government through bribery and intimidation.
Audiotapes that emerged after Samper was elected president June 19 indicate his campaign received money from Cali cartel leaders. Samper, who takes office Aug. 7, has denied the charge.
To increase pressure on Colombia, Washington sent a diplomatic note describing actions Colombia must take to continue receiving its current level of U.S. aid.
Foreign Minister Noemi Sanin, speaking in the northern city of Valledupar, said the note expresses "reservations about developments in the last months."
Sanin, who did not release the text of the note, said the Colombian government rejected the criticism and was preparing an "energetic" response. She also demanded the United States "treat us with respect."
A senior U.S. official in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity, criticized the Colombian government for publicly discussing the private diplomatic note.
"We are very, very unhappy," the official said. "This does not make for good relations."
About 24 drug-producing or drug-transit countries face large cuts in aid if they fail to convince President Clinton that they are cooperating fully with the United States or taking adequate steps on their own to fight drug trafficking. Colombia's certification comes up again in April.
^U.S.-Colombia Relations Worsen Over Drug-War Tactics
^By ANDREW SELSKY
^Associated Press Writer
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) _ Colombian officials reacted angrily Friday to a U.S. warning that Colombia faces a reduction in aid unless the government steps up its war on the drug trade.
"We haven't accepted and we won't accept that the formation of our anti- drug policy be the result of interference, pressure or unfriendly actions of any state," the Colombia foreign ministry said in a message to the U.S. Department of State.
Relations between Colombia and the United States, once firm allies, have deteriorated over U.S. suspicions the Colombian government is coddling traffickers, who supply 80 percent of the world's cocaine.
U.S. officials have criticized Prosecutor General Gustavo de Greiff for offering leniency to kingpins who surrender and for advocating legalization of drugs.
In another sign of the pervasiveness of drug lords - and drug money - in Colombia, a senior law enforcement official said a money launderer for the Cali cocaine cartel was heard on police wiretaps in the past year discussing making campaign contributions to President-elect Ernesto Samper. But, he said, the investigation was abruptly halted.
"The police conducting the investigation said they dropped it because it was too hot," the official said on condition of anonymity. "They said 'It will wreck our careers.'"
Colombia battled and wiped out the Medellin cartel, which conducted a 10- year war of assassinations and bombings, but despite U.S. pressure has not mounted a similar aggressive operation against the Cali gang.
U.S. drug agents have long suspected the Cali cartel, the world's biggest cocaine trafficking gang with billions of dollars in profits, has infiltrated top levels of Colombia's government through bribery and intimidation.
Audiotapes that emerged after Samper was elected president June 19 indicate his campaign received money from Cali cartel leaders. Samper, who takes office Aug. 7, has denied the charge.
To increase pressure on Colombia, Washington sent a diplomatic note describing actions Colombia must take to continue receiving its current level of U.S. aid.
Foreign Minister Noemi Sanin, speaking in the northern city of Valledupar, said the note expresses "reservations about developments in the last months."
Sanin, who did not release the text of the note, said the Colombian government rejected the criticism and was preparing an "energetic" response. She also demanded the United States "treat us with respect."
A senior U.S. official in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity, criticized the Colombian government for publicly discussing the private diplomatic note.
"We are very, very unhappy," the official said. "This does not make for good relations."
About 24 drug-producing or drug-transit countries face large cuts in aid if they fail to convince President Clinton that they are cooperating fully with the United States or taking adequate steps on their own to fight drug trafficking. Colombia's certification comes up again in April.
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