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May 2000
Dear friends
You’ve heard of the "Plan Colombia," the ambitious
package of aid to Colombia that President Clinton presented to
Congress. For weeks I have been wanting to write to you about
this, but every time I prepare a letter—things change! They’ll
probably keep changing, but I leave this evening for an international
conference of Bible scholars, and I know I won’t have time
when I return—I will be finishing courses for the semester,
participating in an ecumenical forum, and packing for the move
to Barranquilla at the end of
June.
Yes, I’m moving back to Barranquilla!
The Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where I serve as professor
of Bible and biblical languages, has met all the requirements
for formal accreditation by the government of Colombia. We have
become the School of Theology of the Reformed University—known
informally as the CUR by its initials in Spanish.
This is the new "Plan University"—our conversion
to a full-fledged university. Formal approval by the government
means that our theology degree will now be accepted everywhere.
The lack of accreditation has been frustrating for pastors who
worked for five years to graduate from the seminary only to find
out that the government did not recognize our degree in theology.
The full university program also includes psychology, law, systems
engineering
(computers), linguistics, and education. Bible and theology will
be a part of the curriculum in each of the other programs, and
they in turn will enrich our theological studies. This mutual
"leavening" is at the heart of the Reformed concept
of the church’s relationship with the world.
One requirement is that all full-time professors and administrative
personnel must be based at the main campus during the first year
for "supervision." The seminary library has now been
shipped to Barranquilla, and I will be on my way as soon as I
finish my obligations for the semester in Bogotá. You should
see how our old seminary campus has been fixed up and refurbished!
A special thank you to all the churches and friends whose gifts
to the seminary through the Extra Commitment Opportunity program
are making possible these new developments!
Plan Colombia
Now what about the "Plan Colombia?" Many of you have
commented that Colombia is in the news as never before. You have
sent me clippings about the drug traffic and about terrorist and
guerrilla activities, plus editorials concerning the projected
aid package for Colombia—some against but mostly in favor.
You have also assured me of your prayers for my safety, and for
that I am always grateful, although I am probably in no more danger
now than I have been in years past. This is not to minimize the
seriousness of what is happening here. But the increased attention
of the American press reflects an escalation of U.S. interest,
not an escalation of the
violence here.
Colombia has assumed a leading role in the fight against the
drug traffic, and, through this plan, Colombia invites other countries
to join as partners in "an alliance between countries where
narcotics are produced and countries where they are consumed."
But most of the proposed U.S. aid will be military: one Colombian
analyst says it is "80 percent stick and 20 percent carrot."
Some think the aid package is mainly designed to serve the interests
of politicians in the election campaign, plus the interests of
the multinational
corporations that produce military equipment and have a limited
number of clients. (Colombia would receive three radars costing
68 million dollars, 30 Blackhawk helicopters for 400 million dollars,
and more.) Many Colombians fear there will be an escalation of
violence if the plan becomes reality, and there is much talk about
the possible "vietnamization" of Colombia.
The question is: What difference would all this investment make?
The proposed massive fumigation of drug crops would cause significant
environmental deterioration. The anticipated military actions
would probably augment human rights violations, including undercover
links between the government and paramilitary troops, and would
certainly multiply the number of displaced persons who flee their
homes because of the violence. Colombia already suffers from a
severe financial recession and a high rate of unemployment, with
increasing social tension as a result. The small family farms,
which are the major drug producers in Colombia, do not need military
action to give up such a crop—they need viable alternatives.
But the whole drug question goes deeper. If drugs in Colombia
could be wiped out today, the drug traffic would spring up somewhere
else. There is too much money involved. People will continue to
risk their lives—and others’ lives—as long as the
risks make possible those fabulous profits. The American Association
for the Advancement of Science and other organizations that have
studied the drug problem have made important recommendations for
alternative solutions. The U.S. government and the public need
to give these ideas serious consideration. This is an area where
debate and discussion in our churches can have an important influence
on public policy.
Plan University…Plan Colombia…these are both human
plans, but the sovereign God is still in control. In the midst
of poverty, violence, and uncertainty as to the future, the church
here has a unique opportunity, and I feel privileged to accompany
the Presbyterians of Colombia as they work for peace in the midst
of violence and give testimony to God’s Plan revealed in
Scripture for all humanity. Thank you again for standing behind
our ministry here with your prayers and concern.
Blessings on you,
Alice Winters
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