U.S. and 3 Latin Nations OK Military Role in Drug War

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia — The United States and the cocaine producing countries of Bolivia, Colombia and Peru tentatively agreed Sunday to include military units from each country in a stepped-up war on drugs.

However, South American delegates said the agreement leaves out any language that might open the door to direct U.S. intervention in the fight.

The text of the plan will be kept secret until President Bush and at least two of the South American presidents sign it at a drug summit Feb. 15 in Colombia, officials said.

The agreement, reached early Sunday after a five-day preparatory meeting, represents “an integral commitment by the four countries, which have proposed carrying out a frontal and unstoppable assault on narcotics trafficking,” said Bolivian Foreign Minister Carlos Iturralde Ballivian.

He said the accord recognizes the need for more U.S. economic aid to the South American countries, which in turn committed themselves to a full-fledged military campaign against the multibillion-dollar cocaine industry.

“Until recently, we perhaps haven’t wanted to accept the reality of narcotics trafficking,” Iturralde said. “We limited ourself to police action.”

Under the agreement, the South American countries are committed to using “all the means they have available,” including the armed forces, in the war on trafficking, he said.

His speech, which covered the agreement in general terms, concluded the meeting at 4:30 a.m. Sunday, one day later than planned.