War in Colombia to intensify as support for military solution grows.(efforts to end civil war are examined)(Brief Article)

BOGOTA -- US pressure and rebel intransigence are dealing new blows to Colombia's battered peace process at a time when many Colombians appear to be ready to support a military solution to the country's guerrilla wars.

Two weeks before US Secretary of State Colin Powell is due to travel to Colombia in a show of support for President Andres Pastrana and the government's anti-drug efforts, US officials have mounted a public campaign against Colombia's largest guerrilla organization, the FARC. In on- and off-the-record comments, US officials have accused the FARC of mistreating prisoners, using its Switzerland-sized demilitarized zone in southeastern Colombia as a base for drug trafficking and a lack of sincerity in the peace process.

Government forces and FARC troops have been engaged in heavy combat in southern Colombia. It appears that although the guerrillas have retreated and suffered some losses - including at least one senior commander - the battles have not been decisive. Most of the 2,400 guerrillas being pursued by 6,000 government troops supported by aircraft and helicopters appear to have escaped.

At the same time, US officials have said that they have largely abandoned hope of a deal between the government and the smaller ELN guerilla group. US and Colombian officials had hoped the ELN would be more likely to cut a peace deal because of its relatively weak military position in central Colombia and apparent interest in peace talks. However, the capture of a proposed ELN demilitarized zone in central Colombia by right-wing militia's allied with the military has radicalized the group, which has launched a wave of car bombs in recent weeks and now says it prefers to fight.

Elite take harder line

The ...