Letter from Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Affairs Deborah McCarthy to Colombian Ambassador to the United States Luis Alberto Moreno, October 3, 2003

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
BUREAU FOR INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON DC

October 3, 2003

Dear Ambassador:

This letter is to request your assistance in the effort to better inform officials of the Colombian Government about research and development advances for the use of mycoherbicides against illicit crops, advanced by the United Nations and the Government of the United States. This will contribute to your Government considering the viability and advisability of a greater study of mycoherbicides in Colombia.

Some members of the US Congress, including the chair of the House International Relations Committee, Henry Hyde, have encouraged the Department of State to work with the Government of Colombia in research and development for the use of mycoherbicides against coca and opium poppy crops. This summer, the Embassy of the United States in Bogotá asked President Uribe if he was interested in using mycoherbicides against illicit crops in Colombia. President Uribe explained that he was ready to learn more and asked that the Department of State instruct his experts of the Colombian Agriculture Institute (ICA).

To prepare for these talks, I hope that you will help identify a small group from ICA or other appropriate officials of the Government of Colombia so that we may invite them to Washington for meetings and talks with a group of experts. I would like to suggest that the delegation of the Government of Colombia be principally composed of agricultural specialists, but that it also include a representative with wider responsibility in the formulation of anti-narcotics policies who has the capacity to present recommendations to President Uribe for future actions.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you require additional information in this or other matters.

Sincerely,

Deborah McCarthy

Deputy Assistant Secretary

As of April 9, 2004, this document was also available online at http://www.sunshine-project.org/agentgreen/mccarthy031003.html