Graham Previews Colombia Report at Drug Caucus Hearing, February 22, 2000

Graham Previews Colombia Report at Drug Caucus Hearing, February 22, 2000

-- For Immediate Release --
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GRAHAM PREVIEWS COLOMBIA REPORT AT DRUG CAUCUS HEARING
Council on Foreign Relations Study Will Evaluate U.S. Response to Colombia Crisis

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Graham today told fellow members of the Senate Caucus on International Drug Control and Finance Subcommittee on International Trade that he and former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft will soon unveil a Council on Foreign Relations-sponsored evaluation of United States policy toward Colombia.

"As a country that is directly affected by what happens in Colombia, it is in the United States' national interest to help our neighbor overcome its full-blown crisis," said Graham. "I hope that our report will help guide the Administration and Congress as they work together to shape the U.S. role in Colombia's recovery."

Graham, who along with Scowcroft is co-chair of the Council on Foreign Relations Task Force on Colombia, said that an interim report would be released in early March. He indicated that it would recommend at least two enhancements to the Clinton Administration's Colombian assistance proposal:

1) Additional anti-drug resources for other U.S. partners in the region,
particularly Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama

2) Expanded trade preferences to help Colombia's economy recover
from its first recession in more than sixty years

In addition to the measures that will be recommended in the Council on Foreign Relations report, Graham is seeking additional funds for intelligence collection and analysis in Colombia.

"The Clinton Administration's plan for Colombia is a very good start," said Graham. "But General Scowcroft and I believe that the final plan passed by Congress can be even better."

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As of March 22, 2000, this document is also available at http://graham.senate.gov/pr0222.html