News

USIS Washington File

11 January 2000

Text: President Clinton's Statement on Assistance to Colombia

(Says aid package is critical to Colombia's counter-drug efforts)
(540)

It is in the United States' "fundamental national interest" to aid the
Colombian government in its fight against narco-trafficking and the
resulting widespread violence in that country, President Clinton said
in a January 11 statement.

In so doing, Clinton added, the United States can help reduce the flow
of illegal drugs entering U.S. territory -- while also promoting
political and economic stability in Colombia and in the surrounding
region.

Following is the text of Clinton's statement on his proposed aid
package to Colombia:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Grand Canyon, Arizona)

January 11, 2000

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Today I am announcing an urgently needed, two-year funding package to
assist Colombia in vital counter-drug efforts aimed at keeping illegal
drugs off our shores. It will also help Colombia promote peace and
prosperity and deepen its democracy. Building on our current efforts,
over this year and next our resulting support would total over $1.6
billion.

President Pastrana's inauguration in August 1998 brought to Colombia a
new spirit of hope -- for deeper democracy, for broader prosperity,
for an end to that country's long civil conflict. But increased drug
production and trafficking, coupled with a serious economic recession
and sustained violence, have put that progress in peril.

President Pastrana has responded with a bold agenda -- Plan Colombia.
It provides a solid, multifaceted strategy that the United States
should support with substantial assistance. We have a compelling
national interest in reducing the flow of cocaine and heroin to our
shores, and in promoting peace, democracy and economic growth in
Colombia and the region. Given the magnitude of the drug trafficking
problem and their current economic difficulties, neither the
Government of Colombia nor its neighbors can carry the full burden
alone.

In Fiscal Year 2000, much of our support will be focused on a one-time
infusion of funds to help boost Colombia's interdiction and
eradication capabilities, particularly in the south.

The package will also include assistance for economic development,
protection of human rights, and judicial reform.

Our bilateral aid to Colombia will be supplemented by multilateral
agencies. The World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank are
considering hundreds of millions of dollars in loans for Colombia next
year. The IMF has already pledged a $2.7 billion Extended Fund
facility to help jumpstart the economy. And we will also continue to
encourage our allies to assist Colombia.

The obstacles to a better future for Colombia are substantial. We
expect it will require years before the full benefits of Plan Colombia
are felt. But I believe that with our support and that of other
donors, Plan Colombia can soon accelerate Colombia's nascent economic
recovery. Over the longer haul, we can expect to see more effective
drug eradication and increased interdiction of illicit drug shipments.

Strengthening stability and democracy in Colombia, and fighting the
drug trade there, is in our fundamental national interest. So, with
President Pastrana and with our Congress, we must and we will
intensify this vital work.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State)