[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 22, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S7447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE GOVERNMENT OF BOLIVIA'S COUNTERNARCOTICS PROGRAM

  Mr. LOTT. As the Senate moves toward consideration of the Foreign 
Operations Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2000, I want to note the 
significant efforts being made by the Government of Bolivia in its 
counternarcotics program. Since taking office in August, 1997, the 
government of Hugo Banzer has reduced Bolivia's cocaine production 
potential by a remarkable 40 percent. This is historic progress, which 
I hope will be emulated by other nations in the region. I ask unanimous 
consent to have printed in the Record a letter I received from the Vice 
President of Bolivia, Mr. Jorge Quiroga Ramirez, which discusses the 
Bolivian Government's plans and seeks continued American assistance in 
its counternarcotics efforts.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

         Presidencia del Congreso National, Vicepresidencia-de la 
           Republica,
                                             La Paz, May 24, 1999.
     Hon. Trent Lott,
     Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Sir: I am writing to ask your help in addressing 
     Bolivia's counter-narcotics needs in the coming Fiscal Year. 
     As you are aware the government of President Banzer has 
     embarked on an ambitious program (the Dignity Plan) to end 
     our country's involvement in the illegal drug trade by the 
     time we leave office in 2002. To date, the Dignity Plan has 
     produced impressive results. In just twenty--one months we 
     have successfully eradicated close to 40% of coca crops that 
     go into making cocaine, and we are on target to meet our goal 
     of a drug-free Bolivia by 2002. Our success thus far has been 
     achieved through a combination of national political will and 
     assistance from the international donor community.
       We are at a critical juncture in the development of the 
     Dignity Plan. Having gained broad based domestic support for 
     our policies, we now have to show our people that we can 
     provide more legitimate commercial ventures as alternatives 
     to coca in order to keep them from returning to coca planting 
     in the future. It would be a profound tragedy for Bolivia and 
     for the consumer nations if, after scud successful 
     eradication, we were unable to hold the progress gained. The 
     Bolivian people are willing to leave the illegal narcotics 
     circuit if we can show them that feasible commercial 
     alternatives exist. Where we have accomplished this, re-
     planting rates are at historical lows and our system of 
     community--based compensation (as opposed to individual 
     compensation) provides the best incentives for keeping our 
     farmers in legitimate agricultural enterprises.
       Proud as we are of our record, we know that the most 
     difficult work lies ahead. We must maintain historic levels 
     of eradication while dramatically enhancing our Alternative 
     Development efforts to ensure that this eradication holds. 
     For these reasons we are turning to the international donor 
     community, and especially to the United States. I must be 
     candid in stating, however, that the levels of counter-
     narcotics and alternative development funding which have 
     recently been proposed for Bolivia, will fall well short of 
     our needs.
       In February of this year I visited Washington to present a 
     comprehensive budget for the last years of our Dignity Plan. 
     This figure of $384 million from the United States (coupled 
     with our own contributions and those from Europe) across four 
     years represents our best estimates of waht will be required 
     to move our country out of the international narcotics 
     circuit. As a former Finance Minister I understand and 
     respect the need for fiscal discipline and I know that the 
     United States Congress is struggling with its own budget 
     priorities for the coming years. I would point out, however, 
     that we have a once-in-a generation opportunity to completely 
     win a battle, in Bolivia, in the worldwide war against drugs. 
     If we fail to meet this challenge it may take us decades to 
     arrive at this point again as the credibility of counter 
     narcotics programs will suffer.
       I would like to again ask your help and support in locating 
     the resources needed for complete funding of the Dignity Plan 
     request. With the proper levels of assistance we can soon 
     celebrate with the United States the day when my country is 
     out of the drug circuit entirely and Bolivian based cocaine 
     no longer plagues the streets of our countries. The war on 
     drugs needs its first victory. With your help Bolivia can be 
     that victory.
       Thank you for your support and consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                              Jorge F. Quiroga R.,
         Vicepresident of the Republic of Bolivia, President of 
           the National Congress.




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