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Last
Updated:11/19/04
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Testimony
of Robert B. Charles, Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics
and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Hearing of
the House International Relations Western Hemisphere Subcommittee,
November 18, 2004
Aid to Colombia: The European Role in the Fight Against Narcoterrorism Robert
B. Charles Testimony
Before Chairman Cass Ballenger and the Washington,
DC Mr. Chairman, and distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the invitation to discuss aid to Colombia and the European role in the fight against narcoterrorism. Before I begin to talk about the subject of today, I would like to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary efforts of Chairman Cass Ballenger over the years. Representative Ballenger, you have been a staunch and longtime supporter of INL programs in Colombia and you will be missed in Congress, in the State Department, in INL, and in Colombia. I salute your many years of fine service. I have told you before that I believe we are at a tipping point in Colombia. Seizures and eradications are at record levels. Kidnappings, massacres, and murders are down significantly. People are now talking about peace as something that could really happen sooner rather than later. All of these success stories create a powerful testament for more assistance to Colombia, so that this hard earned momentum is not lost. Congress has recognized this by providing continued bipartisan support to Colombia. However, we cannot provide this assistance alone. Help is needed from other nations that are friends of Colombia and who have a stake in combating narcoterrorism and drug consumption. Both Europe and the United States have recognized the need for demand countries to take responsibility along with supply countries. I would preface my comments by making a broad general statement. European support and concern for Colombia seem to be growing, although both are still not what they could be. On counternarcotics, the European focus is on demand reduction and alternative development, rather than eradication and interdiction. Nonetheless, this support is welcome. European engagement contributes to the overall social and economic progress being registered in Colombia. The Europeans, multilaterally and bilaterally, are engaging more directly and we encourage this. Our support to Plan Colombia, complemented by our regional efforts in the Andes, represents a significant investment by the American people and Congress to fight the flow of drugs responsible for ending thousands of lives each year in the United States, most of them young Americans. It is also a robust effort to fight powerful, often entrenched terrorists in this Hemisphere. Finally, it is a bold and uncompromising initiative to protect democratic rule in Colombia, and across the Andean region. The grand gamble of robust support by the U.S. Congress – now showing fruit in Colombia – would not have been possible without the extraordinary, courageous and determined leadership of President Uribe. Since taking office in August 2002, his administration has taken an aggressive stand against narcoterrorism. That stand has enabled the broad panoply of hard and soft Colombia programs to work. I would like to say for the record, here today, that I believe President Uribe qualifies as one of the most courageous leaders in the Western Hemisphere, and perhaps in the history of our hemisphere. He is showing the kind of political leadership, perhaps even for allies in the region, which engenders more than respect – it is the kind of intellectual and operational leadership that causes lasting, sustainable change in a country, and may across the entire region and in the hemisphere. He is at the tip of a spear, and the spear is a true paradigm shift, away from a world that views drug trafficking and terrorism as immutable, and toward a world that calls and renders both terrorism and drug trafficking part of a dead past. He is cutting a swath that we all should be proud to follow, in many ways like the leadership of Elliot Ness in 1930’s Chicago or Rudolph Guilliani in 1990’s New York. He is demonstrating that past assumptions are subject to challenge, and that past norms can be altered and even ended. I am grateful to him for his leadership, and all Americans should be, even as I am enduringly grateful to the U.S. Congress and the leaders on and off this committee who have long championed the Andean Region counter-drug effort and before it, Plan Colombia. I must pause to note that one of the strongest leaders on this issue has been this chamber’s present leader, and my former boss, Speaker Dennis Hastert, as well as many of the members and staff of this committee. That said, it is today my pleasure to be able to testify before you. I earnestly thank you for your unwavering support for the people and programs that are making a difference in Colombia – and therefore in heartland America. The abhorrent plagues of narcotics consumption and narcoterrorism do not recognize national borders. They are transnational problems that require transnational solutions. The drug problem is not limited to just the U.S. or to Colombia. Every nation on Earth is affected daily by the heartbreaking loss of life, productivity, and health directly attributable to illegal narcotics. Our friends and allies in Europe are not immune from the negative effects of illegal drugs. Cocaine consumption is a growing problem in Europe. The European Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) 2003 report indicates that cocaine use in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands is increasing. As our own experience has shown, this problem must be engaged on all fronts, and with all available tools. Europe as a whole and individual countries have been actively engaged in Colombia since the beginning of Plan Colombia and have implemented some very worthwhile projects, some of which I will describe to provide an idea of European efforts. Nevertheless, it is important to repeat that more could be done. We are at a point where we must keep the pressure on the narcoterrorists and provide opportunities to Colombians who want peace and prosperity. Letting up now would be like quitting in the third quarter of a football game. We must push forward. We may not be in the end zone, but we have certainly passed the 50-yard line. Significant and increased support from Europe will be necessary if we are to sustain the positive momentum in Colombia. Colombia and Europe will benefit from increased European support, and both will suffer without it. Our
Efforts to Promote European Assistance Overall
European Assistance -- A Complicated Picture According to ACCI, the EU and its member states invested about $120 million in Colombia in 2003, of which $84 million was bilateral. Major bilateral programs included Belgium ($2 million), France ($8 million), Germany ($20.9 million), the Netherlands ($8 million), Spain ($30 million), and Sweden ($11.4 million). EU commission projects include a $35 million Peace Laboratory in the Magdalena Medio region of Colombia, and a $33 million Peace Laboratory in the state of Norte de Santander. Other projects are much smaller in scope and include such projects as rural development, strengthening of penal institutions, assistance to uprooted communities, and promotion of organic fruit production with small farmer collectives. The U.S. on the other hand, obligated $580 million in Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) funding alone in 2003. This included $168.2 million in alternative development and institutional building. In other words, in 2003 the U.S. obligated over 4 times the amount of money as the entire EU and its member states. These numbers do not include support from the UN, but remember we also support Colombia via the UN. These figures move into even sharper focus when you consider that at least 150 metric tons of cocaine enters Europe each year, while the U.S. receives over 300 metric tons. To put it more clearly, the U.S. consumes twice the amount of cocaine that is consumed in Europe, yet the U.S. obligated in Colombia 400 percent more in assistance in 2003 than did the EU and its member states. While Colombia is not the sole provider of cocaine to the U.S. or to Europe, it is certainly the major provider producing two-thirds of the world’s coca and processing even more. Where
the European Assistance is Going European
Union Multilateral Assistance United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Where
Greater Assistance is Needed We believe Europe can provide significant help in the area of dealing with internally displaced persons, demobilized persons, and deserters. As peace flourishes, there will be a significantly increased need for programs and projects dealing with these individuals and ensuring that they are integrated back as productive members into Colombian society. We have asked the Europeans about their plans in this area and have been told that they are considering how to respond. President Uribe has recently announced that Colombia will begin to demobilize thousands of paramilitary members in the coming months. I want to emphasize that this demobilization must in no way exonerate members of the insurgent and paramilitary groups who have committed serious crimes and acts of terrorism from facing justice in Colombia, Europe, or the U.S., and President Uribe has echoed this sentiment to us. Another area where European assistance is needed is the area of money laundering and terrorist financing. This is the lifeblood of the narcoterrorists, and we must attack their money at every opportunity and in every country. Europe has a well-developed banking system and significant experience and expertise in dealing with money laundering. The Colombian narcoterrorists use European banks, and European assistance would be particularly welcomed in this area. Since September 11, our own experts have been working double time on terrorist financing, and we would welcome European assistance. Europe is especially well suited to help combat the diversion of precursor chemicals. Europe, like the U.S., has a highly developed chemical sector that exports to the whole world. Unfortunately, some of these chemicals are diverted to the manufacture of drugs that are killing children in Colombia, the U.S. and Europe. Denying this vital component to the drug trade would certainly seem like a promising area for the Europeans to pursue with Colombia. Counternarcotics
Achievements in Colombia
This year our spray goal for coca and opium poppy is ambitious: 130,000 hectares of coca and all opium poppy. To date, we are ahead of schedule on these eradication milestones. As of November 15, 2004, we have sprayed over 119,000 hectares of coca and over 3,000 hectares of poppy. When we meet our 2004 goals, it will be the third year in a row that coca and opium poppy eradication has increased. I am certain that we will meet the spray goals for 2004, and we will have our third year in a row of record eradication. I wish I could then say "Three strikes and you are out," to the narcotraffickers, but much remains to be done. However, record eradication statistics combined with record seizure numbers are going to have a positive effect on our constant efforts to keep illegal drugs off the streets of America. I would be remiss if I did not state for the record that we take environmental concerns very seriously in our spray program. We have sought to be responsive to Members of Congress and non-governmental organizations that have understandably expressed concern about the potential effects of aerial eradication on human health and the environment. We adhere to a higher level of environmental safety in Colombia than any comparable use of herbicide in the world. Alternative
Development Alternative development is more than alternative crops. It also includes activities that improve Colombia’s rural infrastructure, so that licit crops can be transported and marketed. This year alone, over 200 infrastructure projects were completed for a total of almost 900 since 2001. The project built more than 90 schools, 40 water systems, and 80 municipal buildings -- ranging from homes for the elderly to business centers and community centers. Projects completed also include 195 sewage projects and 35 roads. Another indication that democracy and legitimate, accountable businesses are taking root is that 21 citizen oversight committees were formed last quarter, for a cumulative total of 220 municipalities with improved public services. USAID-sponsored alternative development projects in Colombia are reinforcing the core functions and values that underpin Colombia’s democratic civil society. Program beneficiaries are uniting and forming associations to ensure progress achieved continues after USAID funding has ended. The Association "Building a Future," for instance, comprised of 14 small farmer organizations, representing 388 families from Mocoa, recently gained national attention when they were invited to speak at a forum in Bucaramanga sponsored by the influential Colombian non-governmental organization, Planeta Paz. The President of the Association, Libardo Martinez, when speaking with other local leaders, stressed the importance of community work and organization. According to Martinez, "...the Putumayo experience has become the reference point for progress for the other departments and for the rest of the world." Colombians are increasingly proud of the future they are creating, using rule of law and the legitimate economy as a pivot point. Interdiction Another good news story seldom written or talked about is Colombia’s effective Air Bridge Denial program (ABD). This program is proving to be a highly effective deterrent to international narcotrafficking. Since its resumption in 2003, the program has tracked and sorted thousands of flights, and forced down and/or destroyed over 26 suspected narcotics trafficking aircraft. As of August 2004, the Colombian Air Force and its regional partners had seized almost two metric tons of illicit drugs through the ABD program. In 2003, the program resulted in 6.9 metric tons of drugs seized regionally. The key here is not the number of planes destroyed or the amount of drugs destroyed; rather, our goal is to effectively deter the use of Colombian airspace by traffickers, while protecting civil aviation. Narcotics trafficking patterns are beginning to measurably change in response to the Colombian Air Force effort. We are undermining the narcotics industry, while also methodically and decisively extending democracy and strengthening security throughout Colombia. We have helped fund the establishment of police in 158 municipalities, many of which had not seen any government or security presence in decades. For the first time in the recorded history of Colombia, there is now a state presence in all 1,098 of Colombia’s municipalities. This is an enormous step forward for the people of Colombia and their democratically elected government. As John Locke might say, where there is security and a stable social compact, people will abide the law and mix their labor with the land in a legitimate, lasting way. Due in very large measure to the foresight of this body -- the U.S. Congress -- we are seeing real success. Democratic
Institution Building and the Rule of Law Also on human rights, the Colombian government "protection program" has been expanded to include protection for mayors, local human rights officials, council members, municipal human rights workers, medical missions, journalists, and former mayors. In the third quarter of FY 2004, more than 40 individuals received protection measures for a cumulative total of 3,540. During this quarter, ten additional offices are in the process of being armored, for a cumulative total of 87 offices protected as of June 2004. Further, a professional police corps has been trained and equipped to protect judicial personnel, witnesses, and government officials. By providing protection to these individuals and offices, we are playing an increasingly important role in ensuring the ability of Colombia’s leaders, human rights defenders, and local officials, to conduct activities in as secure an environment as possible. This is another area in which European support and expertise would be welcome. Finally, we provide emergency and longer-term assistance to so-called "Vulnerable Groups," particularly Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This assistance, administered by USAID and the State Department’s Bureau for Population, Migration, and Refugees includes food, shelter, psychosocial assistance, physical and mental health services, community strengthening, income and employment generation, urban assistance, education, and rehabilitation of ex-child combatants. It also strengthens the Colombian agency responsible for IDP coordination, protection, and border monitoring. The program runs more than 300 projects in 25 departments and 200 municipalities throughout the country. Last quarter, IDP programs collectively aided more than 130,000 persons for a cumulative total of over 1.9 million persons since 2001. During the same period, more than 7,500 jobs were created for IDPs and other vulnerable persons, such as youth at risk of displacement or recruitment by illegal armed combatants. To date, IDP programs have provided vocational and skill development training for nearly 52,000 IDPs and created over 65,000 jobs. Equally important, access to education was increased during the last quarter for more than 900 displaced and other vulnerable children for a total of 164,840 recipients since the program began. Finally, more than 200 families who were willing and able to safely return to their original communities were assisted last quarter, for a cumulative total of 19,535 families, or over 97,000 individuals since 2001. The IDP Program also assisted 170 additional child ex-combatants during the last quarter. By providing viable life and employment options, the program discourages families from taking up cultivation of illicit crops. European countries have similar projects in this area and I would encourage them to increase their efforts. Concluding
Remarks On balance, the Colombians, with U.S. assistance and support, are on track to dismantle narco-terrorist organizations by seizing their current and future assets in all manners possible. We will face challenges in the coming years that, if not addressed aggressively, have the potential to reverse some of these gains. In particular, the outcome of Colombia’s peace process will affect our operations. We must also sustain our support for other allies in the Andes to make sure that the Colombian criminal organizations do not export their production and processing methods to other countries. European assistance is key to ensuring not only that Colombia’s ability to build a strong, peaceful country is enhanced, but also that European countries will stand with us to achieve these mutual goals. I appreciate this Committee’s strong commitment to our efforts and look forward to exchanging views on how to carry these efforts into the future. Let me close by offering you this assurance that with or without additional support from Europe I will continue to ensure that outstanding performance and positive results are achieved in the U.S. assistance program to Colombia INL. We will continue to make progress in combating illegal drug production through partnerships with our foreign allies and with the many federal agencies involved in these efforts. We are committed to fight the scourge of narcotrafficking and narcoterrorism in our hemisphere and welcome others who share this commitment to join the fight. Full stop. Thank you. As of November 19, 2004, this document was also available online at http://wwwc.house.gov/international_relations/108/cha111804.htm |
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