DAVID BARNWELL,
A chara, - David Andrews's article (News Features, February 9th) on Colombia is mostly fair and accurate, though his characterization of the FARC as a mere "left-wing opposition group" is anodyne to the point of absurdity, given the horror and hardship that the FARC have visited on their own people.
But Andrews is wrong in speculating that Colombian President Pastrana is trying to seem "strong" because he faces an election challenge from a hardline opponent. The fact is that Pastrana is not up for re-election; he will leave office this summer, since the constitution of Colombia precludes him from seeking a second term. Andrews's theory is thus unfounded. Nevertheless I commend the deputy for taking the trouble to visit Colombia, a country about which some people in Ireland (including his own Fianna Fáil colleagues) talk a lot but know little. - Is mise,
DAVID BARNWELL,
Serpentine Avenue,
Dublin 4.