Diplomacy Peace Mission

When Ronald Reagan first met Colombian President Belisario Betancur Cuartas, 62, during a five-day tour of Latin America more than two years ago, the U.S. President had been forewarned of the Colombian's reputation for candor. Betancur lived up to his advance billing. He criticized Reagan publicly for the U.S.'s approach to Central American problems and complained of "frustrations and irreparable damage" in developing countries caused by U.S. economic policies.

This week Reagan and Betancur will meet face to face again as the Colombian head of state arrives on a three-day "working visit" to Washington. Once more, Central America will rank high on the list of topics. Colombia is a member of the so-called Contadora group of countries promoting a peaceful solution to the problems of the region; Betancur has reached a controversial peace agreement with some 5,000 leftist guerrillas in his own country. He will also brief Reagan on the progress of Colombia's eleven-month war against the local cocaine trade and make a plea for Latin American exports as part of a solution to ease the region's immense burden of foreign debt.

Betancur talked last week with TIME's Caribbean Bureau Chief Bernard Diederich in Bogota's elegant Nario Palace. Excerpts from the interview:

On Central America. I'm going to the U.S. on a peace mission. I will be taking along some concrete proposals after visits with all the Presidents of Central American countries. The future of peace depends on the political will of the Central Americans, and this will is positive. It also depends on the willingness of the superpowers not to intervene, a willingness I hope is also positive. A military response is a non-policy. Central America requires political and diplomatic solutions, not military ones.

On Nicaragua. I believe that there is a very positive attitude now in Nicaragua concerning the Contadora proposal. I am going to Nicaragua to see what possibilities there are for a national dialogue that would permit the incorporation of opposition groups into (those sanctioned by Nicaragua's) new constitution. Such a dialogue is very difficult, but Nicaragua finds itself in a very grave economic situation. The Inter-American Development Bank is considering a Nicaraguan application for resources; the U.S. has opposed the request. We feel it should be approved.

On the war against cocaine. Our commitment is very clear. Colombia confiscated nearly 16 metric tons of cocaine last year, compared with 14.97 tons seized by U.S. authorities. We dismantled the biggest cocaine laboratories in international history. We have confiscated hundreds of airplanes, ships, boats and automobiles belonging to drug dealers. Despite all kinds of threats, including personal ones, we will continue to intensify our action. We are at the point of no return. We would like to see more drastic penalties against those who produce, process, distribute or consume drugs, especially in the U.S. The U.S. is the principal world market; it's where cocaine enjoys a high but intolerable social status.

On dealing with Colombia's guerrillas. The traditional Latin American response to guerrillas is a military one. We are trying to change that. On March 30, the (Moscow-lining) Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (F.A.R.C.) will formally constitute themselves as a political party. They are opting for the path of elections rather than insurrection, as agreed in the truce we signed a year ago. Other guerrilla groups say they are seriously considering following the F.A.R.C. This shows that dialogue is viable.

On Latin American debt. We want to pay. What we are trying to communicate to creditor nations is: Help us sustain a process of development that will permit us to pay without producing social explosions, without paralyzing our economies.