Powell Pledges More Support For Colombia's Anti-Rebel War
--South America
--Glenn Kessler
--Washington Post, December 5th.
In a startling example of why the United States is suffering from a growing deficit, the Bush administration has secured the right from Congress to increase foreign aid to Colombia, as a corollary to the war on terrorism. Columbia has already received 1.8 million dollars, to spend on things like helicopters, and, well, helicopters. In 2003, Columbia is expected to receive more than 500 million dollars. They are the third-largest recipient of US foreign aid. Colin Powell recently traveled to Columbia to meet with government officials, including Colombian president Alvero Uribe. Powell reportedly stressed the importance of human rights to Uribe as well as an expectation for more funds in 2004.
We're in debt. I always thought that it was impossible to loan money to others, if you yourself are more than flat out broke.
COLOMBIA
United States
United StatesThe economy is ever so slowly going down the tubes, and we gave Columbia one hundred and two helicopters. I would be stunned, but alas, I'm jaded. The icing on the cake is that, theoretically, these funds will help fight the war on terrorism and drugs, which it won't. Yes, the opposition in both wars is a growing poverty stricken populace but, they aren't going to see any of that five hundred million. Instead, they will watch their crops die as they are smothered with herbicide; not all of the crops will be coca either-- many will be produce that could have been sold in your local Giant. So now, farmer Pete has no crops left, nothing to sell this year, and his family is going to starve. Unless, as he is told by Joe the local FARC man, he plants oh just a few coca plants. Now, instead...