Speech by Rep. Mark Green (R-Wisconsin), March 30, 2000

Speech by Rep. Mark Green (R-Wisconsin), March 30, 2000
Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time and let me begin by congratulating the gentleman in the manner in which he has conducted this debate. I think he has done a wonderful job, both yesterday and today.

I do rise in opposition to this amendment, because I believe it goes too far, it covers too many things, and withdraws from too many places and too many important operations. However, I do want to speak more favorably at least on one aspect of the amendment. This appropriation package has, as its linchpin, aid to Colombia. That is both its greatest strength and, I am afraid, its greatest risk. It is risky because its success in the long run is dependent upon cooperation and commitment, a commitment to justice on the part of the Colombian government, and this is, I am afraid, where I have some doubts.

Just over a year ago three innocent Americans were discovered, their bodies. They had been brutally slaughtered in northeast Colombia, slaughtered while they were educating the people of northeast Colombia, slaughtered by thugs from FARC narcoterrorists. One of these Americans was a constituent of mine, Ingrid Washinawatok of Menominee County, Wisconsin. If we are not careful, I am afraid these three Americans may become victimized yet once again. And here is why.

Last October, this body unanimously, unanimously, passed a Sense of the Congress Resolution which decried these murders, condemned FARC, but also, and this is the most important part, called upon the government of Colombia to arrest and to extradite to the United States for criminal trial these awful people. Some weeks ago, at a subcommittee hearing before the Committee on International Relations, I had the chance to ask our drug czar, the esteemed General Barry McCaffrey, for help in pushing for extradition. He assured me he would, and he assured me that he would keep me and my constituents posted. Unfortunately, I have to report today that we have heard nothing from him.

And now, just recently, we have heard from the president of Colombia that he will not extradite at least one of these murderers, German Briceno. So it looks as though the family of Ingrid Washinawatok may be let down once again. For this initiative, for this initiative aiding Colombia, to work, there must be trust, there must be understanding, and there must be a commitment to justice; and I am afraid that commitment may be slipping away.

I see my friend and colleague, the esteemed chairman of the Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), and I would ask him and ask the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the drug czar, and the President all to help us push for extradition.

I do speak in opposition. I believe this amendment goes too far, but some of the sentiments are valid.

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, because I want to assure him that we will try to work with him in conference, and wherever we can, to assist in his desire in getting this criminal extradited.

Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman. That means a great deal to us. And I thank the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations as well, Mr. Chairman.

As of March 31, 2000, this document was also available online at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r106:H30MR0-20: