http://www.montanasnews.com/articles.php?mode=view&id=2694
COUNTERTERRORISM:
US AIDS COLOMBIA WITH PROTECTION OF OIL PIPLINES
by MONTANA NEWS ASSOCIATION
by Jim Kouri, CPP
Oil rivals cocaine as one of Colombia's principal exports. The Cano
Limon-Covenas oil pipeline transports almost 20 percent of Colombia's
oil production. The pipeline originates in the Department of Arauca in
northeast region of Colombia. It carries oil nearly 500 miles to the
Caribbean port of Covenas. And it's the most vulnerable and desirable
target in Colombia for terrorists.
With oil prices continuing to climb, oil production in South
America becomes more important to American interests and the economy.
The terrorists throughout the worlld know this. The Colombian pipeline
has been a principal infrastructure target for terrorist attacks by
Colombia's insurgent groups for many years. During 2001, attacks on the
pipeline cost the Colombian government an estimated $500 million in
lost revenues for the year. The United States agreed to assist Colombia
in protecting the first 110 miles of the pipeline where most of
the attacks were occurring.
Since fiscal year 2002, the United States has provided about $99
million in equipment and training to the Colombian Army to minimize
terrorist attacks along the first 110 miles of the Cano Limon-Covenas
oil pipeline, mostly in the Arauca department. US Special Forces have
provided training and equipment to about 1,600 Colombian Army soldiers
who comprise the security forces for the pipeline.
However, the delivery of 10 helicopters purchased for the program
was delayed--arriving in mid-2005. Without the helicopters, the
Colombian Army's ability to respond rapidly to pipeline attacks has
been limited. In addition, some equipment, such as night vision
goggles, has not arrived due to the long lead-time required to obtain
these items because of US military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Despite the delays in equipment deliveries, the number of attacks
on the Cano Limon-Covenas oil pipeline has declined and security in the
area has improved. Also, the Colombian Army and Colombian National
Police have improved relations with the civilian population and new oil
exploration is occurring in the area due to the improved security.
But challenges to securing the pipeline remain. More attacks are
occurring on the Cano Limon-Covenas oil pipeline outside the 110-mile
long area originally addressed. Most of the Colombian Army stationed in
these other areas has not received US training. In addition, the
insurgents have attacked the electrical grid system that provides
energy to the Cano Limon oil field. Without electricity, oil cannot be
pumped.
Because the US funds provided for the program will be depleted by
the end of September or beginning of October 2005, sustainability of
the progress made is uncertain. Colombia cannot fully operate and
maintain the helicopters provided without continued US support; and due
to US commitments in other parts of the world, US Special Forces will
be reducing personnel in Colombia, which will limit future training.
Sources: National Security Institute, General Accounting Office, US
Department of Defense, US Department of State
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