Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 14:36:38 -0500 (EST)
From: David A Johnson <djohnutk@utkux.utcc.utk.edu>
To: "Takeshi Utsumi, Ph.D." <utsumi@columbia.edu>
Subject: Re: Pls add Ric
Tak:
I have just returned from doing some research on Florencia, site of the UNAMAZ conference, at our map library. This city is nearly 500 miles by road from Bogota. Road travel is through some of the most dangerous areas of Colombia. Travel by air may be possible, though this is a small city and may not have much service. Our US State Department has issued a warning against travel by Americans to Colombia. To go to Florencia would involve serious risk to US citizens. It is inappropriate under the circumstances to request NSF (federal) support for travel in contradiction to State Dept. warnings. I would not want to arrange a trip that would be hazardous to my colleagues and associates.
I think what we might wish to do is to rely on our friends in the region, Marcantonio Dias, and Alex Rivas, to represent our interests and ask them to report back to us.
As a substitute, I would suggest the following alternatives: organize a meeting with Jose Brenes' group in Central America; or, develop a second Pacific initiative-- in Thailand. I can provide to you more details on what is sought in Thailand (exactly what we can assist with), excellent contacts, institutional and governmental support-- and it is a safe venue. Let me know if these are alternatives we might wish to consider.
I am sorry we cannot go ahead on the Colombia initiative involvement. I do hope we can continue to pursue this possibility, though indirectly.
Regards,
Dave
David A. Johnson, Ph.D., AICP
Professor Emeritus, School of Planning
College of Arts and Sciences
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
108-I Hoskins Library
Knoxville, TN 37996-4015
e-mail daj@utk.edu or davidj@buncombe.main.nc.us
tel 423 974-5227
fax 423 974-5229
tel home: 828 277-5792
home address: 8 Hilltop Road, Asheville, NC 28803
home mail address: PO Box 1647 Knoxville, TN 37901-1647
http://web.utk.edu/~djohnutk/
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