U.S. Drug Fight in South America
Gustavo Gorriti is correct in condemning U.S. anti-coca efforts in his column “Coca Won’t Die Easily in Peru” (Op-Ed Page, Sept. 19). Why does it always seem to be the case that only foreigners seem to be capable of perceiving the folly engendered by our government leaders? We have the relatively recent record of Vietnam as a cogent example to guide us in what amounts to yet another attempt to win the hearts and minds of peasant (coca) farmers. The Administration’s anti-coca strategy only repeats past mistakes.
The Bush offensive proposed $64.8 million for coercive measures while proposing a paltry $3.1 million for economic aid. The 20-1 ratio of guns over butter is about the equivalent of the 25-1 ratio of guns over economic aid expended in the Vietnam conflict.
Bush’s Peruvian intervention reflects a failure to learn from past mistakes. The U.S. intervention in Peru’s internal affairs in all probability will prove unsuccessful in achieving its limited aims and will most likely (as was painfully true in Vietnam) only serve to strengthen the resolve of the rebellious elments we are seeking to placate.
JAN S. ZAMOJC
Oceanside
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