Colombian
Embassy Statement, February 2000
EMBASSY
OF COLOMBIA
WASHINGTON
Why the U.S. Congress should
support the Clinton Administration's proposed assistance package to Colombia
February 2000
- Support for this initiative
is in both Colombia's and America's political and strategic interests.
Success against drug trafficking in source countries (Colombia accounts
for 80% of U.S. cocaine imports) will have real benefits to the United
States.
- Drug trafficking is today
a global problem - one which requires a shared commitment by both
producing and consuming nations. The Clinton Administration's program
is a firm U.S. commitment to burden sharing.
- President Pastrana is
committed to the fight against drug trafficking in Colombia, and to
increasing U.S.-Colombian cooperation. (Earlier in his political career,
he was kidnapped by drug traffickers because of his outspoken opposition
to them.) The Pastrana Government is firmly united in its support
for implementing this program.
- Colombia will provide
the majority of funds to implement Plan Colombia - $4.0 billion in
new monies over five years. Colombia is asking the U.S. and the international
community to contribute an additional $3.5 billion. Colombia (and
its neighbors) do not have the resources to fight this battle alone.
The U.S. has to contribute, if we want to achieve real results in
reducing drug trafficking and its violence.
- The core elements of
Plan Colombia include: modernize and professionalize Colombia's armed
forces to dismantle drug trafficking organizations, and reduce overall
illegal drug production by 50% over five years; develop alternative
sources of employment and income for farmers in coca and poppy growing
regions; strengthen institutions of the State, including the judiciary
and law enforcement agencies; improve respect for human rights among
all sectors of the population; implement economic reforms designed
to produce long-term economic growth, a stable currency, increased
exports and lower unemployment; and advance the Colombian peace process
with guerrilla organizations.
- The U.S. assistance package
will contribute to Colombia's economic recovery. Colombia is currently
experiencing its worst economic recession in 70 years. Colombia is
a major trade and investment partner of the United States. It is home
to more than $7 billion in U.S. direct foreign investment; bilateral
trade was approximately $10 billion last year.
- Plan Colombia and the
Clinton Administration's assistance package has been developed as
a result of extensive cooperation and consultation between the U.S.
and Colombia during the past year. There is broad bipartisan support
among the House and Senate leadership for this initiative.
- President Pastrana deserves
U.S. support. He is committed to reducing narco-trafficking, and to
cooperating with the United States on this issue. He has begun a difficult
peace process with the largest guerrilla organization (FARC) in Colombia.
His Administration is implementing tough economic and political reforms.
President Pastrana is not sitting idly by, waiting for U.S. aid. He
has already taken a number of initiatives, and achieved successes,
against trafficking organizations.
- There has been some criticism
that the Clinton Administration's program is too heavily focused on
support to Colombia's military and national police, and does not provide
sufficient economic assistance and support to judicial and law enforcement
institutions in Colombia. However, because of the current security
situation in Colombia, there is an immediate need to first strengthen
the ability of the Armed Forces and Colombian National Police to secure
law and order in the country, and reduce the level of violence associated
with narcotrafficking. Moreover, Colombia is committing additional
resources to economic and Government reform, and intends to ask the
European Union, international financial institutions and others to
also contribute to this effort.
- Some argue that U.S.
assistance to Colombia risks creating an "Andean Vietnam."
This analogy has no basis in history. First, Colombia - unlike Vietnam
- is a strong democracy. Its democracy lies at the core of its politics
and society, and is not imposed by outsiders. Second, unlike in Vietnam,
Colombia's guerrillas have no support among the country's population.
Their strength lies only in an ability to commit violence and in being
well-financed through drug activities and "commercial" kidnappings.
Third, unlike in Vietnam, Colombians will fight the drug war with
or without U.S. support. The country is not a "domino" in
a larger global conflict. And finally, Colombians do not want, nor
need, American troops to fight alongside them. They are only asking
for the tools - training, arms, equipment and intelligence sharing
- to fight the battle themselves.
- Approving this assistance
package in early 2000 will help Colombia at a critical time - when
the Pastrana Government is strengthening the military, trying to lift
the economy out of recession, and moving forward with peace talks.
This information is distributed
by BMSG Worldwide, which is registered under the Foreign Agents Registration
Act as an agent of the Republic of Colombia. Registration information
is available from the U.S. Department of Justice.
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