COLOMBIA and its future

Colombians at Stanford agree that the present situation, illustrated by the massacre at Bojayá, is intolerable. Tatiana Melguizo thinks that suppression of the guerrillas is possible but may lead to a military dictatorship. Mario Vinasco sees a brighter outcome if Alvaro Uribe becomes president: "Alvaro Uribe's authority will be used against all terrorists; as governor of Antioquia he personally directed all operations and supervised the army. That's exactly what we need now. He will be the first soldier of Colombia. No more rhetoric, no more concertation with terrorists at the expense of the Colombian people". The Spanish word "consertación" refers to deals which allowed the FARC to establish a state within the state. I am meeting with Tatiana tomorrow to listen to her views. I would be equally glad to listen to those of Mario Vinasco. This cannot be viewed as interfering in Colombian affairs, since the US is financing the struggle against the FARC. WAIS will attempt to promote interest in Colombia to offset the near monopoly of the Near East problem on US public opinion.

Ronald Hilton - 5/14/02