Copyright © 2000 The Associated Press
August 24, 2000
By STAN LEHMAN, Associated Press Writer

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - Brazil is worried that the possible use of defoliants in Colombia's U.S.-backed plan to combat drug production could damage its Amazon rain forest, a Foreign Ministry official said Thursday.

The environmental impact of the strategy - called Plan Colombia - was discussed at a Wednesday meeting attended by Foreign Minister Luiz Felipe Lampreia, Justice Minister Jose Gregori and Defense Minister Geraldo Quintao.

``No one involved with Plan Colombia has said that defoliants, napalm and other chemical agents will be used,'' said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. ``But no one is denying their possible use to destroy coca plantations.''

Colombia is expected to launch the offensive against drug smugglers soon. On Tuesday, President Clinton signed a waiver that allows $1.3 billion in aid to be sent to Colombia even though the country has not met all the human rights conditions set by Congress. The aid includes 18 Black Hawk helicopters and 42 Huey 2 helicopters, along with money to train and equip Colombia's police and military.

The possible use of defoliants has Brazilian environmentalists worried, as well.

``It would be disastrous,'' said Adalberto Verissimo, research director the environmental organization, Imazon. ``It would obviously wipe out vegetation and untold numbers of animal species.''

Brazilian officials said they backed the plan, except for any foreign military involvement.

The Plan Colombia, which was proposed by Colombian President Andres Pastrana, also includes financing for programs to reduce poverty, wean farmers off growing coca and help ongoing peace talks with powerful leftist guerrillas.

Also worrying Brazilian officials is the possibility that Colombian guerillas fleeing the offensive will cross the border or that drug traffickers will simply shift their cocaine-producing plantations across the border into Brazil's vast Amazon jungle.

The official would not confirm a report by newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo over the weekend that Brazil had already begun beefing up security along its 960-mile border with Colombia. Error: Unable to read footer file.