Monday, Sep. 10, 2001

Q&A: Powell Drops in on Shaky Colombian Allies

BY TONY KARON

TIME: Secretary of State Colin Powell arrives in Colombia today amid signs of strain both in U.S. policy towards that country and in President Andres Pastrana's own plan to make peace with leftist guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). What's the current outlook?

Peter Katel: Short of a top-to-bottom reassessment of the U.S. role in Colombia, which is unlikely, the outlook is for continued U.S. support for Pastrana and the peace process. That said, Washington, like many Colombian military officers, has no enthusiasm for the continued existence of "FARClandia," the Switzerland-sized chunk of territory the government turned over to the guerillas two-and-a-half years ago which the Colombian army is forbidden to enter. Many Colombians, especially urban Colombians, see that the FARC got something for free, because it hasn't let up on its insurgency despite being given this chunk of territory. President Pastrana has to decide in the next month whether to reauthorize the existence of this zone, and he's under a lot of pressure at home. Many military commanders believe peace won't come until the FARC has been hit a lot harder.

Still, Pastrana says he remains confident in the peace process, which may be a sign that he'll renew the safe zone for the guerrillas.

What are Pastrana's options, and what are Washington's?