Prospects for Peace in Colombia

As the year 2000 begins, the disintegration of Colombia in a situation of violence, political unrest, and economic upheaval is a very real threat to the national interests of the United States. It is critical that Washington's concern for failed states, such as Yugoslavia, apply to the Western Hemisphere as well. Ramifications of Colombia's demise are at least as important for the hemisphere as the fragmentation of Yugoslavia has been for Europe. Beyond the imminent threat to stability in the region, the 40-year old insurgency now torturing Colombia also poses an urgent dilemma for defense of the United States from the scourge of narcotraffic, for loss of Colombia as a lucrative trade partner, for protection of the Andean and Amazon environments from dangerous pollutants, and for the threat to promotion of democracy and humanitarian principles so close to the United States. In spite of years of engagement activities with the Colombian military and other government agencies, progress toward a solution has been elusive. Many of the ineffective political actions pursued by both Bogota and Washington, as well as the historical patterns in Colombia of violence, corruption, and upheaval, have striking similarities to event and policies from the United States experience in El Salvador during the 1980s. In an address to the United Nations on 20 September, 1999, the President of Colombia, Andres Pastrana, sought international support for a sweeping strategy intended to resolve the problems and bring peace to Colombia. Designated Plan Colombia, the strategy provides a comprehensive, visionary approach for action to return Colombia as a contributor to hemispheric prosperity and to prevent its potential "balkanization," a situation which could spread unabated throughout the region.. The plan incorporates many of the lessons learned in El Salvador and can, if fully implemented, provide the environment for peace in Colombia. The best reason for supporting Plan Colombia with aid