Press Release by Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Delaware), May 3, 2000

Press Release by Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Delaware), May 3, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2000

Biden Releases Colombia Report, Calls for Funding Anti-Drug Effort

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. issued a report today urging Congress to act quickly and approve the $1 billion Colombian aid package before "a critical opportunity in the fight against narcotics trafficking is lost."

Senator Biden, senior democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, recently returned from a trip to Colombia where he met with President Andres Pastrana to discuss on-going drug eradication efforts.

"Helping Colombia is squarely in our national interest," said Biden, noting that Colombia is the world's leading cocaine producer, and now the leading supplier of heroin to the United States. "Every day that we delay, more coca seeds are planted, more coca leaf is processed, and more cocaine is shipped to the United States."

"America's insatiable demand for narcotics has helped fuel the drug trade in Colombia. Colombia is seeking significant U.S. assistance and is pledging significant funds and action by its government. I believe the United States should answer Colombia's call for help. President Pastrana has shown great courage in fighting drugs in his own country. We need to do our part to help."

Senator Biden's report includes several key findings:

• The security crisis in southern Colombia warrants increased U.S. counter-narcotics assistance.
• There are considerable costs associated with Congress' delay in approving the Colombia supplemental.
• The U.S. and Colombian Government should ensure that Plan Colombia focuses on drug trafficking both in the north and south of Colombia.
• The Colombian Government should continue to make strong efforts to improve the human rights record of the Colombian Armed Forces, and to prosecute all violations of human rights.
• Coordination between the Colombian Army and the Colombian National Police needs improvement.
• The United States needs more diplomatic personnel in Colombia.

"In my 28 years in the U.S. Senate, I have been deeply involved in studying and debating narcotics policy," said Biden. "I strongly believe that at this moment, with this president in Bogotá, we have a real opportunity to make a significant difference against the drug trade in Colombia. That opportunity could slip away unless we seize this rare enforcement moment."

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As of May 11, 2000, this document was also available online at http://biden.senate.gov/press/release/050300f1.htm