wfn.org | Latin American LWF Churches Criticize 'Plan Colombia'

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

"They Want to Put Out Fire with Petrol"
Latin American LWF Churches Criticize 'Plan Colombia'

QUITO, Ecuador, GENEVA, 21 September 2001 (LWI) - "They want to put
out fire with petrol," commented a taxi-driver in Barranquilla,
Colombia, early this year. He was referring to "Plan Colombia", a
government strategy to meet the most urgent challenges facing the
country. Similar views were expressed by Colombian pastors and church
leaders.

"Plan Colombia" is aimed at combating cocaine production, drug
smuggling and guerrilla warfare in the Latin American country.
Official estimates indicate that Colombia produces over 75 percent of
the cocaine consumed worldwide. The plan, largely supported by the
United States of America to the tune of USD 1.3 billion, ranges from
military actions to the replacement of coca and poppy production with
legal crops.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell stated that the USD 1.3 billion
would be used to help the Colombian government protect its own
people, fight illegal drug trafficking, end guerrilla warfare and,
finally, achieve a lasting, peaceful settlement of the conflict.

But many people have expressed doubts about the consequences of "Plan
Colombia". At its June 2001 meeting, the Lutheran World Federation
(LWF) Council endorsed concern expressed by bishops and presidents of
LWF member churches in Latin America on the negative effects of the
strategy. The Lutheran communion and its ecumenical partners were
urged to organize a consultation process on the humanitarian
consequences of "Plan Colombia". The Council expressed concern about
the situation of internally displaced persons in Colombia and
refugees who had sought protection in neighboring countries.

Bishops and presidents of LWF member churches in the Andes Region
have already agreed to coordinate assistance to the displaced or
those forced to flee. Mennonite Pastor Roberto Caicedo from the Latin
American Council of Churches (CLAI) said "there is still a strong
tendency among some parties to this conflict to seek a solution in
armed combat or at least in oppression. 'Plan Colombia' is largely
based on repression-its basic philosophy." Caicedo does not
anticipate an end to the conflict in the near future. "There is a
long road before us; we must insist that the armed conflict and
social pressure that are the cause of the whole problem-including
drug trafficking-are settled through negotiations."

European Union governments also expressed skepticism. The EU rejects
the plan's strong military orientation citing its emphasis to fight
drug production and trafficking by oppressive means. Criticism is
particularly leveled at the inadequate involvement of civil society
and combating drug production by spraying environmentally pollutant
products. The EU, however, promised political and economic support
indicating it would support non-governmental organizations and social
projects with some USD 100 million.

Colombian economist Luis Garay is also critical. He points out that
"only a third of the money is used for public development aid,
strengthening the judicial system, human rights, development of
alternatives to illegal crops and social projects." That amount is
not enough to substantially improve Colombia's political and social
situation.

The United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF points out that abject
poverty has driven some 6,000 girls and boys into the arms of
left-wing and right-wing groups. Around 1,400 people including 58
children have been injured by landmines that cover fifteen percent of
the country. Torture is common and victims are frequently crippled
for life.

(This article is based on information from Alejandro Querejeta, a
journalist based in Ecuador.)

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now has 133
member churches in 73 countries representing over 60.5 million of the
64.3 million Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on behalf of its
member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical
relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights,
communication, and the various aspects of mission and development
work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the information service of the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Unless specifically noted, material
presented does not represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of
its various units. Where the dateline of an article contains the
notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced with
acknowledgement.]

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