A Great Gift Lies in Samper’s Hands

By a margin of nearly 3 to 1, the Colombian Congress has voted to absolve President Ernesto Samper of drug corruption charges that might have led to his impeachment. But the problems that overwhelm the country may not be tackled unless Samper now makes the honorable decision to resign the presidency. Perhaps only this act can trigger a desperately needed national reconciliation.

The crisis began last summer when Samper’s campaign treasurer, Santiago Medina, publicly declared that the president, as a candidate, had personally approved the use of millions of dollars in Cali cartel drug money in his 1994 election campaign. Samper has always denied the charge. He claimed that if any drug money entered his campaign, it happened behind his back.

The Colombian Congress could not prove he had knowledge of contributions from drug lords and cleared him of wrongdoing. But in Washington, the State Department is not convinced that the investigative process was thorough. “The decision of the Colombian House of Representatives not to forward to the Senate charges of narcotics-related corruption against President Samper leaves unanswered many questions . . . , “ said spokesman Nicholas Burns.

There is no light at the end of this political tunnel. Colombia faces immense economic and social problems. Public opinion has been polarized by the proceedings in Congress. Samper has won a legal victory, but lost his leadership of the fractious high ministries of government. Samper has it in his hands to offer his country a fresh start.