Excerpt from remarks by President George Bush, January 16, 2002

Excerpt from remarks by President George Bush, January 16, 2002

THE WHITE HOUSE
EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY
APPROX.6:30PM EST
JANUARY 16, 2002

The President's prepared remarks to the World Affairs Council at the Organization of American States
(Deviation from the text may occur)

...

Our second commitment is to security: Security against acts of terror. Security against the lawless violence of drug cartels and their accomplices. Our citizens must know that they can exercise their freedoms in safety and peace.

That is why, for example, the United States, Canada, and Mexico are cooperating in unprecedented ways to build "smart borders" for the 21st century that ensure safety for ordinary people and trade, but filters out terror and drugs.

That is also why the United States remains committed to helping nations like Colombia defend its democracy. Colombia and the Andean nations are strengthening law enforcement, reducing illegal crops, and expanding legitimate business opportunities as alternatives to drug farming and trafficking. The United States Congress and I recently approved 625 million dollars to support these efforts. America will help all nations in the region in cutting off the supply of drugs. And just as importantly, we will help the nations of the region by reducing the demand for drugs in our country.