Letter to the editor of Roll Call from Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts) in response to Morton Kondracke column, March 9, 2005
To-the-Editor of Roll Call:

I would like nothing better than to agree with Morton Kondracke's rosy picture of progress in Colombia. But this picture ignores disturbing realities we must face if we are to build a better policy for Colombia-and for the United States.

After five years and four billion U.S. taxpayer dollars to fight drugs in Colombia, the street price of cocaine and heroin in the United States continues to decline, the number of current American cocaine users is on the rise, and use is beginning at younger ages. A temporary drop in production in one country simply doesn't translate into an impact in the United States. The solution to the problem of drug abuse begins at home, with treatment and prevention.

The extension of police to more of Colombia's territory is an accomplishment. But the war grinds on, at tremendous human cost, and a long-term solution is out of grasp. The demobilization of paramilitary forces is by no means accomplished, held up over the Uribe administration's failure to reach agreement on a demobilization framework that would include truth, justice and reparations for victims. This is not only a matter of justice for victims, although that is essential. Without adequate justice and accountability, the cycle of violence will begin again.

Perhaps most disturbing is the failure of so much U.S. assistance to translate into human rights improvements. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights office in Colombia, reports of direct violations, including torture and extrajudicial executions, committed by the Colombian military are on the rise. Army-paramilitary collaboration continues, and few high-level military officers are vigorously investigated and prosecuted. Mr. Kondracke cites the Colombian government's figures for internal displacement, but the nongovernmental organization that most closely tracks displacement figures claims that internal displacement began to rise again in 2004 to 287,581. In addition, the Colombian government is forcibly returning the displaced and refugees to areas of high conflict where their safety cannot be assured, in direct violation of international law.

I continue to believe that the United States should help Colombia. But being a good partner to Colombia does not mean serving as their public relations agent. We should insist that the military's human rights record improve and that cases against military officers implicated in violations be investigated and prosecuted vigorously, and we should actually enforce these conditions to further U.S. military assistance as our law requires. We should put greater emphasis on humanitarian assistance, alternative and rural development and supporting the extension of civilian government institutions to rural conflict areas. And we must turn our attention to increasing the availability of drug treatment and prevention at home.

Sincerely,

James P. McGovern
Member of Congress