Clinton Seeks $1.6 Billion for Colombia

President Clinton on Tuesday called for deeper U.S. involvement in Colombia’s war against drugs, proposing a $1.6-billion aid package to counter what officials called rapidly expanding drug production there.

Clinton said in a written statement that the aid was “urgently needed” to keep illegal drugs out of the United States. Colombian President Andres Pastrana hailed the action as a “win-win day for democracy and law enforcement.”

About $600 million over the next two years would help train two special Colombian counter-narcotics battalions, buy 30 Black Hawk and 33 Huey helicopters, and provide other support.

It also would fund a new air base in Ecuador near the border with Colombia, as well as radar for the Colombians to intercept suspected drug flights, Pentagon officials said.

U.S. assistance to Colombia totaled $289 million last year.

“We have a compelling national interest in reducing the flow of cocaine and heroin to our shores and in promoting peace, democracy and economic growth in Colombia and the region,” Clinton said.

Senior U.S. officials insisted that the United States was sticking to the goal of countering the ballooning narcotics trade and was not targeting Colombia’s rebel insurgents.

“This is not a counterinsurgency program. This is a counter-narco-trafficking program,” said Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who announced the new package at the White House by saying Pastrana “deserves our support.”