Topics covered in the anti-guerrilla courses included how to organize civilian self-defense groups and how to set up information networks with help from the public, the paper said

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
Monday, 24 August 1999

Peru prepares Colombian military for fighting guerrillas: report 

LIMA, Peru -- Peru has been teaching more than 300 Colombian military officials anti-guerrilla tactics over the past six months, the daily La Republica said Tuesday, citing Peruvian military sources. The courses covering military precepts and strategy are taught by Peruvian officials with experience fighting drug traffickers and rebels of the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement. "Another group of Colombian generals will participate in the anti-drug trafficking classes shortly," the paper said. "There's no military training, and classes focus on discussions of military precepts and established strategy, which we have experience in," military officials speaking on condition of anonymity told La Republica. These officials said Peruvian and Colombian officials had "a high level of cooperation" and "a free-flowing exchange of information" during the classes, which have been held in both countries. Topics covered in the anti-guerrilla courses included how to organize civilian self-defense groups and how to set up information networks with help from the public, the paper said. In another action viewed as a move to step up the fight against rebels and drug traffickers, Peru on Sunday increased to 2,000 the number of soldiers guarding its border with Colombia, La Republica said. The Peruvian government of President Alberto Fujimori pressed for a strengthening border patrols to prevent any insurgence of drug traffickers or rebels, according to La Republica. Five months ago, the borders were protected by only 100 soldiers, the paper said.