America-s War on Drugs, Human Rights in Colombia

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About 90% of the cocaine that arrives in the US comes from Colombia, where a 40 year-long civil war continued today with rebel forces killing six police officers. Four years ago, Colombian pilots bombed the village of Santo Domingo, killing 18 civilians, including seven children. Los Angeles-based Occidental Oil Company was involved in the action. Now, the State Department has suspended all aid to Colombia-s premier air force unit, claiming there-s been no -credible investigation- of how the incident happened. We discuss the symbolism and substance of making US drug war aid contingent on human rights reform in Colombia with a professor at the US Army War College and an advocate for social justice in Latin America. Newsmaker: War on Iraq Could Exacerbate LAPD Officer Shortage Today-s LA Times reports that the number of police officers on patrol is nearing a five-year low. The neighborhood that has lost the most officers is the one with the most violent crime. The LAPD-s South Bureau has shrunk by 106 officers since January, 2001. Assistant Chief James McDonnell, who is Acting Chief while William Bratton is in Washington, says that attrition, recruitment and a possible war on Iraq are stretching the resources of an already strained LAPD. Reporter's Notebook: Former -Little Rock 9- Remembers Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1957, the world watched 9 neatly dressed African American teens march past angry mobs of white protesters on their way to Little Rock-s all-white Central High School. For three weeks, the Governor of Arkansas and his National Guard kept them from entering, until President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the Army to intervene. Terrence Roberts, one of the -Little Rock 9,- remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his remarkable vision.
About 90% of the cocaine that arrives in the US comes from Colombia, where a 40 year-long civil war continued today with rebel forces killing six police officers. Four years ago, Colombian pilots bombed the village of Santo Domingo, killing 18 civilians, including seven children. Los Angeles-based Occidental Oil Company was involved in the action. Now, the State Department has suspended all aid to Colombia-s premier air force unit, claiming there-s been no -credible investigation- of how the incident happened. We discuss the symbolism and substance of making US drug war aid contingent on human rights reform in Colombia with a professor at the US Army War College and an advocate for social justice in Latin America.
  • Newsmaker: War on Iraq Could Exacerbate LAPD Officer Shortage
    Today-s LA Times reports that the number of police officers on patrol is nearing a five-year low. The neighborhood that has lost the most officers is the one with the most violent crime. The LAPD-s South Bureau has shrunk by 106 officers since January, 2001. Assistant Chief James McDonnell, who is Acting Chief while William Bratton is in Washington, says that attrition, recruitment and a possible war on Iraq are stretching the resources of an already strained LAPD.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Former -Little Rock 9- Remembers Martin Luther King, Jr.
    In 1957, the world watched 9 neatly dressed African American teens march past angry mobs of white protesters on their way to Little Rock-s all-white Central High School. For three weeks, the Governor of Arkansas and his National Guard kept them from entering, until President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the Army to intervene. Terrence Roberts, one of the -Little Rock 9,- remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his remarkable vision.

State Department-s Support Plan for Colombia

Air-Scan

FARC (in Spanish)

Government of Colombia (in Spanish)

Occidental Petroleum Company

Little Rock Nine Foundation

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton