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This new step not only legitimates the internal unrest caused by drug lords and narco-guerrillas, but it also ignores that the drug trade does not really "add" to the Colombian economy. ____________________ ========================================== NEW YORK TIMES Thursday, 1 July 1999 ******************** * LETTER TO EDITOR * ******************** Colombia's Drug Money --------------------- By Lorenzo R. Cortes Colombia's decision to include income from illegal drug crops in its official economic figures is yet another step in the creation of the Americas' first narco-state (news article, June 27). Colombian officials claim they must report the value of drug crops so they can provide a clear economic picture to international lending institutions. However, this new step not only legitimates the internal unrest caused by drug lords and narco-guerrillas, but it also ignores that the drug trade does not really "add" to the Colombian economy. Drug money finances insurgent forces to the tune of almost $100 million a month, damaging the judiciary and the military. The new policy gives the illusion that Colombia is growing when in fact it is being undermined. LORENZO R. CORTES Alexandria, Va., June 28, 1999 The writer is a research assistant at the National Defense Council Foundation. Copyright 1999 New York Times |
