Statement
of Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Mark Souder (R-Indiana), hearing of
the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug
Policy, and Human Resources: "Andean Counterdrug Initiative," March
2, 2004
Opening Statement of Chairman Mark Souder
Good
afternoon. This is the second in a series of concise hearings
on our nation's drug policy. Today we will examine the critical
issues of drug supply in the Andean Region and will provide Members
with an opportunity to focus on the Presidents 2005 Budget
Request for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative. We will have the
opportunity to discuss a wide range of drug policy, strategy,
and implementation issues with Director Walters, on his own panel.
We will then seat Assistant Secretary of State Charles and Assistant
Secretary of Defense OConnell on a second panel.
ONDCP
has broad authority within the Executive Branch to coordinate
national drug policy and budgets for federal drug control agencies.
Under existing law, the Director reviews the annual budget requests
for each federal department and agency charged with implementing
a federal drug control program. If the budget is deemed inadequate
to fulfill the Presidents strategy, the Director is empowered
to propose funding levels and initiatives he believes are sufficient
to do so, which generally must then be submitted to the Office
of Management and Budget in lieu of the agency request. The certification
authority is a powerful tool to enable the Director to exercise
control over individual federal Departments and agencies to ensure
the adequacy and coordination of national resources to fight drug
abuse in America.
I
believe that ONDCP has generally been highly successful in keeping
the nations focus and resources on the critical priority
of reducing the supply and reducing drug use in America. The many
positive signs and trends that Director Walters reported this
past year, after the negative trends during the previous Administration
clearly demonstrate the difference that the office can make when
strong and effective leadership combines with sound policy. For
example, the 2003 Monitoring The Future survey showed an 11 percent
decline in drug use by 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students over
the past two years. The finding translates into 400,000 fewer
teen drug users over two years, confirming that President Bush's
two-year goal has been exceeded. Similarly, the 2003 Teens Partnership
Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) survey corroborated the earlier
reports that showed an 11 percent drop in youth drug use. We are
beginning to see reductions in coca cultivation in Colombia. These
victories are very encouraging to American families, treatment
professionals, and law enforcement personnel who are working so
hard to end drug abuse in America. However, significant challenges
remain in virtually every area of coca and opium poppy producing
regions in the Andean Region.
The
FY 2005 request for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative will fund
projects needed to continue the enforcement, border control, crop
reduction, alternative economic development, democratic institution
building, and administration of justice and human rights programs
in the region. The ACI budget provides support to Colombia, Peru,
Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela and Panama. The Subcommittee
is concerned, however, that the 13 percent reduction between 2003
and the Administrations 2005 request for the initiative
(from $841 million to $731 million) stifles the hard-earned successes
that have recently become evident.
Of
the $731 million requested, $463 million will be used to continue
to support Colombias unified campaign against drug trafficking
and narco-terrorists. Funds will maintain support to the Colombian
Armys aviation program and drug units, as well as the Colombian
National Police in the areas of aviation, eradication and interdiction.
It is important to understand that Plan Colombia is an initiative
of the Colombian government and the Colombian people. The solution
must come from within Colombia, and the plan is an effort to address
a broad spectrum of social, economic and political issues that
cannot be resolved in any other way. I have met with President
Uribe several times and he is committed to this. It is equally
apparent, however, that American assistance to and cooperation
with the plan is critical to make it work, and that the full support
and commitment of the administration and Congress is essential.
Along
the same line, the Plan is not just about Colombia, but is representative
of an approach that we hope we can reinforce to spread throughout
the entire Andean region. I met with Peruvian officials and learned
of many difficulties their government is facing. I met with Ecuadorian
officials as well who are concerned about traffickers moving over
the border along the Putumayo. We must consider the great potential
and the great challenge, as well as the constant need to consider
the big picture as we proceed.
Today,
we have invited witnesses from the administration to discuss the
Andean Counterdrug Initiative: the efforts and results so far,
the strategy in the coming year, and the adequacy of the resources
requested. Appearing first, from the Office of National Drug Control
Policy we have Director John Walters. After the first panel, from
the Department of State we will hear from Assistant Secretary
for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Robert
Charles. And from the Department of Defense, we have Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity
Conflict, Thomas OConnell. Our thanks to all of you for
your willingness to testify, and for accommodating us in your
schedule. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss our progress
and how best to meet the counternarcotics challenges today.
As of
March 24, 2004, this document was also available online at http://reform.house.gov/CJDPHR/Hearings/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=811