STOP NATO: �NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- ListBot Sponsor -------------------------- Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb ---------------------------------------------------------------------- he Bush administration has budgeted $882 million in aid for a drug fighting effort targeting several Andean nations in a follow-up program to ``Plan Colombia'' that directs more attention to social and economic programs than last year's military-heavy plan. <A HREF="aol://4344:30.L100cCNn.7219585.678230979"> 06/28: AOL News: US Criticizes Europe on Drug Fight</A> Want to send this story to another AOL member? Click on the heart at the top of this window. US Criticizes Europe on Drug Fight .c The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Lawmakers and the Bush administration expressed frustration Thursday with the aid European nations have provided so far to help drug fighting efforts in the Andean nations of South America. ``One-third of the cocaine from this region is now headed for Europe,'' said Rep. Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y., ``and places like Holland, Belgium and others in Europe provide large uncontrolled quantities of the precursor chemicals to the region that help make the drugs, which, in turn, flow back to Europe.'' The Bush administration has budgeted $882 million in aid for a drug fighting effort targeting several Andean nations in a follow-up program to ``Plan Colombia'' that directs more attention to social and economic programs than last year's military-heavy plan. Last year, the United States provided Colombia with $1.3 billion in aid, mostly in combat helicopters and other military assistance. Bordering countries soon sought similar U.S. aid as they detected Colombian narcotics producers moving in and other effects of ``Plan Colombia'' spilling over their borders. So far, Europe has provided $300 million to the effort, said Michael Deal of the U.S. Agency for International Development's Latin American bureau. Deal called the contribution substantial, but disappointing. ``We think they could do a lot more,'' he told members of the House International Relations Subcommittee. However, now that the U.S. has widened its focus from Colombia to the entire Andean region - and shifted from a military emphasis to a more balanced approach - European nations are indicating a willingness to help more, said William Brownfield, a deputy assistant secretary of state dealing with Western Hemisphere matters. ``But I don't wish to understate this case. We had hoped for more. We are disappointed so far,'' Brownfield said. AP-NY-06-28-01 1729EDT Copyright 2001 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
