The death of five American and two Colombian soldiers in a plane crash during a counter-narcotics mission in Colombia last month put the spotlight on our stake in South America's most troubled country. Colombian drug traffickers produce more than 80 percent of the world's cocaine and a rising proportion of the heroin that reaches our shores. The guerrillas are opposed by right-wing paramilitary groups that, like the guerrillas, regularly abuse human rights. Both the guerrillas and the paramilitaries use the drug trade to finance their operations. Efforts by Colombia's President, Andres Pastrana, to negotiate peace have stalled.
Crime is rampant.
And the nation's economy, long a regional star, is in the midst of its worst recession since the 1930's. Colombia's problems extend beyond its borders and have implications for regional security and stability. To turn the tide, President Pastrana must wage a comprehensive effort. As President Pastrana understands, the goals of peace, law, prosperity and respect for human rights are not separate from one another, but rather reinforcing of each other. Progress toward one will make the others easier to achieve.