Plan Colombia and Beyond

Committee on Armed Services
Senate Hart Building
Tuesday, September 19, 2006 9:30 am

Vice Admiral James G. Stavridis, USN
(For appointment to be admiral and to be Commander, U.S. Southern Command)
Adm. Stavridis shared a panel with Gen. Bantz Craddock, the current chief of U.S. Southern Command, who has been nominated to head the European Command. Stavridis' responses to senators' written questions are available as a PDF file.

Stavridis's opening statement

Stavridis stated that it is an honor and privilege to be considered and thanked the committee for their time. If confirmed, he said that "this job will receive my full energy and attention."

Committee Chairman Sen. John Warner (R-Virginia) asked Stavridis to explain the importance of Panama today.

Stavridis replied that the canal is very important, as 65% of the ships passing through the canal go to U.S. ports. The Panamanian president is seeking the public's approval for a new referendum to expand the canal. The money for this project will come from public and private investors. The United States has to follow especially the private investment in order to be aware of Chinese economic and military connections in Panama.

Sen. Warner added that the United States has to respect Panama's sovereignty. Still, he highlighted the fact that the canal is of great importance to the United States.

Sen. Warner then asked Stavridis what he hopes to achieve in Venezuela.

Stavridis replied by stating that historically, the US has enjoyed good relations with Venezuela. Still, the country's recent ties with Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Belarus are "disturbing." There is concern that Venezuela is influencing a bloc of Latin American countries to be anti-U.S. Venezuela just purchased new arms, including rifles and jets, from Russia. Oil money is also a big concern in the region. Due to all this, Venezuela's actions "have to be of concern."

The ranking Democrat, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Michigan), attended the hearing but did not pose any questions to Stavridis.

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) attended but did not pose any questions to Stavridis.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) did not pose any questions to Stavridis or the other nominee, General Craddock. He only stated his "disappointment" in Craddock's refusal to discipline Gen. Geoffrey Miller for detainee abuse that allegedly occurred while he commanded the Guantanamo prison facility.

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) asked Stavridis to elaborate on the current situation in Cuba, particularly Fidel Castro's health and the probability of his brother, Raúl, might take power for good.

Stavridis replied that "Cuba is front and center" and it will be at the center of his work. He said he is hopeful of a peaceful transition to a democratic regime, but that he is not hopeful that this will happen anytime soon. Raúl will take the reins of power and "very little will change." Cuba is facing many problems. The country, he said, has a very weak economy that is only propped up by Venezuelan oil subsidies, there are over 800 migrants a year to the United States, and Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism. In taking action, the "U.S. will support the Cuban people."

Sen. Nelson then asked Stavridis to comment on Nicaragua and Daniel Ortega.

Stavridis stated that "I am not an expert at all" on Nicaraguan politics. But it is common sense to state that Ortega is an opponent of the United States. Although he conceded that the elections appear to be fair and that Nicaragua is a sovereign nation, he is "very concerned" about the linkage between Nicaragua and nations like Cuba and Venezuela, in what he referred to as an "anti-U.S. bloc."

Sen. Nelson posed a third question to Stavridis regarding the IMET program [International Military Education and Training, the main source of U.S. funding for non-drug military training in Latin America]. He stated that he initially thought that the United States was doing other nations a favor with the program. Now, he believes that the United States is the beneficiary of the IMET program. Furthermore, if the United States does not continue with the program - which has been suspended in twelve Latin American countries who do not exempt U.S. personnel in their territory from the International Criminal Court - then nations like China will step in and offer the training.

Stavridis responded to this question after Gen. Craddock already addressed it. Craddock stated that we want servicemen to be protected. The United States is losing engagement opportunities with other cultures, and that the United States benefits from foreign military personnel coming here to see our culture and our democracy. We are losing this in key countries. Stavridis stated that he "associates" himself with all of General Craddock's comments.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) raised a concern about Hezbollah being "in our backyard," asserting that the terrorist organization can easily expand its base of actions to the Western Hemisphere. What should we be doing?

Stavridis responded that he has read many reports, both classified and unclassified, about Hezbollah's presence in Latin America. It appears that "Hezbollah has a foothold" in the Southern Command's area of responsibility, especially in the tri-border area shared by Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. The organization is largely concerned with financing and fundraising in the region, but this could come to include human trafficking. There have been reports of surveillance at the Panama Canal. This is cause for "real concern." The United States' role is "to be plugged into intelligence," which means it has to work with partners, both on a one-to-one basis and regionally. The United States needs to fortify alliances and to be very aware of the situation.

Sen. Cornyn then asked about narco-trafficking and terrorism in Colombia. The FARC, he said, is setting up a safe haven in Venezuela. He asserted that the United States' aid, namely in coca eradication, has been very helpful. What should we do about these recent developments with Venezuela, a nation that associates itself with U.S. enemies?

Stavridis started by saying that "Colombia has made tremendous progress" over the past four or five years, adding that the military is handling the FARC, the AUC is demobilizing, and the economy is doing well. The United States has to support Colombia in strengthening its borders. The issue is "of concern." Stavridis stated that he could not say much more because much of the intelligence is classified.

Sen. Cornyn agreed with his comments, adding that the Department of Defense has to protect U.S. borders (with all of Latin America) by improving use of technology.

The Chairman concluded the panel by thanking both nominees for their "direct answers."

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Joint Oversight Hearing (Government Reform Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, and the International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere)
House Rayburn Building
September 21, 2006 11:30 AM

"The Need for European Assistance to Colombia for the Fight against Illicit Drugs"
House Republicans, faced with continued high levels of coca cultivation and cocaine trafficking in Colombia, have not chosen to reconsider their strategy. Instead, they have begun to blame Europe, where demand for cocaine is rising. They charge that European donors have failed to match U.S. aid to Colombia, which is overwhelmingly military in focus, with similar levels of so-called "soft" aid to fight poverty and strengthen civilian institutions.

Opening Statements

Rep. Howard Coble (R-Texas), chairman of the Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee

Rep. Coble said it is believed that 40-60% of Colombian cocaine finds its way to Europe because it is more "geographically convenient" due to the European Union's open borders. The price of cocaine per kilo in Europe is three times that in the United States. The DEA reports that the FARC and the AUC are penetrating Spain. Europe needs to recognize the "imminent danger" of these groups. The chairman stated that he was "disappointed" that the EU members who were invited to testify did not come.

Rep. Dan Burton (R-Indiana), chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee

Rep. Burton stated that Colombia is at a "critical junction." Spain and Portugal have become "the portals" to Europe. The "drug flow to Europe is undermining" all of the United States' efforts in Colombia. "I hope somebody in Europe is listening, because they should be here today." Europe must begin to pay its pledges for "soft-side assistance" in Colombia.

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Virginia), ranking Democrat on the Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee

Rep. Scott stated, "My hope is that Europe will do a better job" than the United States has done. The United States has spent billions on security and the military instead of social programs, like education. The United States may have helped increase the supply of cocaine by breaking up large cartels into smaller, less detectable ones.

Rep. Eliot Engel (New York), ranking Democrat on the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee

Representative Engel stated that the United States needs to cooperate with Europe on many matters and current issues - Iran, Afghanistan, and Colombia. "I hope this hearing will be viewed positively on the other side of the Atlantic." The hearing should highlight commonalities instead of looking at differences.

Rep. Coble introduced the three witnesses - Michael A. Braun (Chief of Operations - DEA), Sandro Calvani (UN Office on Drugs and Crime), and, in absentia, Rosso Jose Serrano (Former head of Colombia's National Police, now Ambassador of Colombia in Austria)

Mr. Braun

Cocaine trafficking to Europe can be directly linked to Colombia. The single most important objective is to dismantle cartels. Cartels rule and operate like terrorist organizations, using fear, corruption, and violence. No state in the world has stronger laws than the United States. Because of this, the last thing a trafficker wants is "to face justice in U.S. courthouses." The United States should be proud of this.

Dr. Calvani

The lack of government control of territory allows for the continuing growing of coca. Eradication must be backed with strong economic incentives for farmers. A current project gives farmers $265 per month on a three year basis. The results have been very positive. 80% of the coca plants eliminated have been eliminated for good. Only 0.9% of these farmers say they will go back to cultivating illicit crops. Still, nations, especially in Europe, must work to reduce demand.

Major Lopez (speaking on behalf of Ambassador Serrano)

UN reports show there is an increase in cocaine consumption in Europe, especially in the UK and Spain. It is important to charge the EU to take action and recognize the "shared responsibility" of fighting cocaine trafficking.

Questioning

Rep. Coble: Portugal may surpass Spain as the port of Europe. Does the DEA have an office there?

Braun: The DEA is looking into it, but currently has a "hiring freeze." People from the Madrid office will visit Lisbon regularly.

Rep. Coble: How much does trafficking influence terrorism?

Braun: "Franchised terrorist cells" must fund their operations and many do it through the $322 billion drug industry. The Tri-Border Region is a "breeding ground for terrorism."

Rep. Scott: How much is the United States spending on source-control in Colombia?

Braun: A lot. (He was not aware of the exact numbers.)

Rep. Scott: What is the trend in the cocaine price on the streets of the United States?

Braun: It remains about the same while the purity has declined.

Rep. Scott: How much supply would we have to reduce to have an effect on the price on U.S. streets?

Braun: The DEA doesn't measure success in price. It measures success in the disruption of cartels. Mr. Braun stated that many reports would refute Mr. Scott's numbers.

Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio): Chabot stated that he went to Colombia and saw the military and police counter-drug units and was impressed with their work. European countries have opposed aerial spraying and have adopted an"environmental attitude." The spray is "'Round-Up,' so it's not like we don't know what it is." Manual coca "plucking" is very dangerous.

Lopez: In a national park, terrorists were killing individuals who were manually eradicating coca. 19 soldiers, 10, police officers, and 12 civilians were killed. In the end, the park had to be sprayed.

Rep. Engel: Is the U.S. counter-drug policy (Plan Colombia) working?

Braun: "When we hit the traffickers hard," they have the ability to bounce back. They have tremendous potential margin.

Engel: To what extent has Plan Colombia resulted in an increase of cocaine trafficking from Peru and Bolivia?

Braun: (He did not have any numbers).

Engel: Plan Colombia is controversial in Europe. What are the criticisms?

Calvani: They say the US and Colombia do not consult with them. They want to apply alternative development programs to Colombia (similar to those applied in Laos and Thailand).

Rep. Coble: Colombian cultivation has increased by 8%. Why has eradication become harder?

Calvani: There has been only a "very slight" increase after a reduction of 51% over the past few years. Alternative development programs have been reduced and demand for cocaine has not decreased. Production in Bolivia and Peru has gone up. Also, people are going into the forest and are planting smaller plots of coca.

Rep. Coble: Cocaine flow to Europe is massive. How many Spanish anti-drug police are in Bogota?

Lopez: There is one Spanish anti-drug police officer and 125 DEA agents.

Rep. Scott: Can you comment on the health implications of spraying?

Calvani: So far, it has not been possible to detect any effect. The product used to spray is widely used in Colombia and the United States.

Rep. Coble: What does organized crime in Russia have to do with the increase of cocaine in Europe?

Braun: It isn't a "significant threat."

Calvani: They are involved in other drugs, like heroin from Afghanistan.

Burton: Doesn't the increase of cocaine in Europe undercut the United States' work? What does the DEA have to say?

Braun: He would have to think about the question.

The Chairman adjourned the hearing.