Grinder
14 August 2003, 18:44
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
BOGOTA, Colombia, Aug. 13, 2003 - "The air of optimism here
is palpable - you can really feel it," said Joint Chiefs
Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers at a press
conference here Aug. 12.
This was Myers' first visit to Colombia since 2000 when he
headed U.S. Space Command. He said he was struck by the
determination of all the leaders he met.
The chairman met with President Alvaro Uribe, Defense
Minister Martha Lucia Ramirez, Foreign Minister Carolina
Barca and his counterpart, Gen. Jorge Mora.
Myers attended a number of meetings discussing the
Colombian strategy to fight narcoterrorism. "The military
has had some great successes and they continue to organize
and plan for success," he said.
The senior U.S. military officer said his trip in part was
to express U.S. support for President Uribe's efforts to
eliminate the threats of terrorism and narcoterrorism in
the region.
The Colombian military is taking the offensive against
rebel groups that use drug money to carry out operations
and to buy weapons. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia (or Spanish acronym FARC) is the largest rebel
group, with around 15,000 "hard-core" members. The
Colombian military has put together a strategic plan to go
after the terrorist group. Mora and his staff briefed Myers
on the plan and how the United States can continue to help.
"One of the most important things the U.S. military can do
is to help the Colombian military with their planning,
their use of intelligence and basic training," Myers said.
"The one thing we don't have to help the Colombian military
with is their courage and determination."
Myers said that even as he spoke, Colombian military
personnel were putting their lives on the line to make the
country a better and safer place to live. "This is a
competent military dedicated to the mission they have
before them," he said.
Many leaders in the country are afraid that reports of
progress against the narcoterrorists will mean the United
States will end support for the actions. "Clearly we've
been full partners with the Colombians going back a long
way - back to the Korean War where Colombians fought side-
by-side with U.S. military, to the war on terrorism and our
continuing support down here to rid this country of drugs
and terrorism," Myers said. "We're committed to that. It's
important to the region and the Western Hemisphere. Success
here is very important for the United States and we'll be a
full partner."
Myers said that even with the United States military being
engaged in many areas of the global war on terrorism, the
country can and will sustain support to Colombia. He said
the training will change as Colombian military needs
change. He said the United States can help the Colombians
with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance matters
and with improving the planning process.
Myers said the strategic work done by the government is
very impressive. He said the work in many ways mirrors the
work the United States has done since Sept. 11, 2001. For
example, the Colombian military has connected intelligence
assets to the operational planning cycle. This will allow
the Colombian military to move faster and hit leadership
targets or perform other high-value "perishable" missions.
Myers asked the other countries in the region to help
Colombia as the nation confronts narcoterrorists. Reporters
specifically asked Myers about charges that Venezuela is
sheltering rebel groups. "Anybody who gives aid and comfort
to terrorists is on the wrong side of the fight," he said.
"We'll have to continue to develop that intelligence and
continue to work with the governments in the region to
ensure that doesn't happen."
But Myers was visibly buoyed by the chance to come to
Colombia and get a feel for the situation in Bogota. "The
one thing you come away with from a visit like this is the
absolute determination and dedication of the Colombian
government and people to rid this country of terrorism so
their families and children and grandchildren can live in
peace and prosperity," he said.
After Colombia, Myers planned stops in Nicaragua, El
Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic before
returning to Washington.
American Forces Press Service
BOGOTA, Colombia, Aug. 13, 2003 - "The air of optimism here
is palpable - you can really feel it," said Joint Chiefs
Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers at a press
conference here Aug. 12.
This was Myers' first visit to Colombia since 2000 when he
headed U.S. Space Command. He said he was struck by the
determination of all the leaders he met.
The chairman met with President Alvaro Uribe, Defense
Minister Martha Lucia Ramirez, Foreign Minister Carolina
Barca and his counterpart, Gen. Jorge Mora.
Myers attended a number of meetings discussing the
Colombian strategy to fight narcoterrorism. "The military
has had some great successes and they continue to organize
and plan for success," he said.
The senior U.S. military officer said his trip in part was
to express U.S. support for President Uribe's efforts to
eliminate the threats of terrorism and narcoterrorism in
the region.
The Colombian military is taking the offensive against
rebel groups that use drug money to carry out operations
and to buy weapons. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia (or Spanish acronym FARC) is the largest rebel
group, with around 15,000 "hard-core" members. The
Colombian military has put together a strategic plan to go
after the terrorist group. Mora and his staff briefed Myers
on the plan and how the United States can continue to help.
"One of the most important things the U.S. military can do
is to help the Colombian military with their planning,
their use of intelligence and basic training," Myers said.
"The one thing we don't have to help the Colombian military
with is their courage and determination."
Myers said that even as he spoke, Colombian military
personnel were putting their lives on the line to make the
country a better and safer place to live. "This is a
competent military dedicated to the mission they have
before them," he said.
Many leaders in the country are afraid that reports of
progress against the narcoterrorists will mean the United
States will end support for the actions. "Clearly we've
been full partners with the Colombians going back a long
way - back to the Korean War where Colombians fought side-
by-side with U.S. military, to the war on terrorism and our
continuing support down here to rid this country of drugs
and terrorism," Myers said. "We're committed to that. It's
important to the region and the Western Hemisphere. Success
here is very important for the United States and we'll be a
full partner."
Myers said that even with the United States military being
engaged in many areas of the global war on terrorism, the
country can and will sustain support to Colombia. He said
the training will change as Colombian military needs
change. He said the United States can help the Colombians
with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance matters
and with improving the planning process.
Myers said the strategic work done by the government is
very impressive. He said the work in many ways mirrors the
work the United States has done since Sept. 11, 2001. For
example, the Colombian military has connected intelligence
assets to the operational planning cycle. This will allow
the Colombian military to move faster and hit leadership
targets or perform other high-value "perishable" missions.
Myers asked the other countries in the region to help
Colombia as the nation confronts narcoterrorists. Reporters
specifically asked Myers about charges that Venezuela is
sheltering rebel groups. "Anybody who gives aid and comfort
to terrorists is on the wrong side of the fight," he said.
"We'll have to continue to develop that intelligence and
continue to work with the governments in the region to
ensure that doesn't happen."
But Myers was visibly buoyed by the chance to come to
Colombia and get a feel for the situation in Bogota. "The
one thing you come away with from a visit like this is the
absolute determination and dedication of the Colombian
government and people to rid this country of terrorism so
their families and children and grandchildren can live in
peace and prosperity," he said.
After Colombia, Myers planned stops in Nicaragua, El
Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic before
returning to Washington.