A government ostensibly dedicated to reform and harassed by growing insurgency pleads for our money and military hardware. Infiltration routes have been carved into the mountainous frontier. Civilians flee disputed zones and refugee camps house women and children abused by extremists on both sides of the conflict. Public opinion at home. asked to address a "country in danger" theme. fears that the introduction of American soldiers may be the logical next step. We stand exposed to the anguish of a Vietnam experience unless we take stock of some painful Latin American realities on the one hand and some untapped advantages on the other.