[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10427-S10428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SENATE RESOLUTION 375--SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF BOLIVIA'S 
                   DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT

  Mr. LUGAR (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Helms, Mr. DeWine, and Mr. 
Graham) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 375

       Whereas the stability of democracy in Latin America and the 
     eradication of illegal narcotics from the Andean nations are 
     vital national security interests of the United States;
       Whereas the democratically elected Government of Bolivia 
     has taken dramatic steps to eradicate illegal narcotics under 
     the Dignity Plan, resulting in the elimination of 80 percent 
     of the illegal coca crop in just two years, a record of 
     achievement unmatched worldwide;
       Whereas the Government of Bolivia is now approaching the 
     completion of coca eradication in the Chapare and will begin 
     eradication operations in the Yungas regions in 2002;
       Whereas there are indications that narcotics traffickers 
     from outside Bolivia are stepping up efforts to keep a 
     foothold in Bolivia by agitating among the rural poor and 
     indigenous populations, creating civil disturbances, 
     blockading roads, organizing strikes and protests, and taking 
     actions designed to force the Government of Bolivia to 
     abandon its aggressive counter narcotics campaign; and
       Whereas the government of Bolivian President Hugo Banzer 
     Suarez has shown remarkable restraint in dealing with the 
     protesters through dialogue and openness while respecting 
     human rights: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That (a) the Senate calls upon the Government of 
     Bolivia to continue its successful program of coca 
     eradication and looks forward to the Government of Bolivia 
     achieving its commitment to the total eradication of illegal 
     coca in Bolivia by the end of 2002.
       (b) It is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the United States, as a full partner in Bolivia's 
     efforts to build democracy, to eradicate illegal narcotics, 
     and to reduce poverty through development and economic 
     growth, should fully support the democratically elected 
     Government of Bolivia;
       (2) the release of emergency supplemental assistance 
     already approved by the United States for sustainable 
     development activities in Bolivia should be accelerated;
       (3) on a priority basis, the President should look for 
     additional ways to provide increased tangible support to the 
     people and Government of Bolivia;
       (4) the Government of Bolivia should continue to respect 
     the human rights of all of its citizens and to continue to 
     discuss legitimate concerns of Bolivia's rural population; 
     and
       (5) Indigenous leaders should enter into serious 
     discussions with the government on issues of concern and 
     cease provocative acts that could lead to escalating 
     violence.
       Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the President.

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise to introduce a resolution in support 
of democracy and drug eradication in Bolivia. I'm pleased that I have 
been joined by several colleagues in a bipartisan initiative to applaud 
and support one of the most successful drug-eradication programs in the 
world.
  Our resolution recognizes that extraordinary achievements of 
Bolivia's narcotics elimination program. It urges the Government of 
Bolivia to continue its program of drug elimination while upholding the 
rule of law and safeguarding human rights. It also urges the indigenous 
leaders to cease provocative acts and begin discussions with the 
Government of Bolivia to resolve outstanding issues.
  For nearly two weeks now, Bolivia has been confronting one of the 
worst social upheavals the country has endured in the past two decades. 
The turmoil has been perpetrated by diverse forces in Bolivia, 
particularly those who wish to reverse the drug eradication program in 
the country.
  A destabilization campaign, initiated by drug traffickers, has 
resulted in a number of protests that have virtually paralyzed the 
country. Roads that connect the major cities of the country were 
destroyed and blockaded and the flow of food to the urban centers has 
been interrupted. Nearly a dozen people have died and more have been 
injured by acts of violence. Economic losses are estimated at more than 
$160 million and growing.
  The protesters, who are led by coca growers, were demanding the 
resignation of the President, the suspension of the anti-drug strategy, 
and the elimination of plans to build a U.S. funded military 
installation in the Chapare region--the region where most illegal coca 
has been cultivated. They also demand that the Government allow 
peasants of the Chapare to replant about 6,000 hectares of coca, which, 
if that is allowed to happen, would yield roughly 42 tons of cocaine.
  President Banzer has flatly rejected most demands to changes in the 
Bolivian drug strategy, the Dignity Plan. He has, nevertheless, agreed 
to suspend plans for the construction of a new military installation in 
the Chapare and proposed to refurbish the existing installation 
instead.
  Other groups in Bolivia have added a number of unrelated demands 
which appeared to be coordinated by or to be in concert with the coca 
leaders. Teachers, for example, have demanded pay raises, inmates have 
asked for better jail conditions, peasants demanded a modification of 
laws on land ownership, doctors requested better pay, and agitators 
exploited the current state of affairs to amplify racial division. 
Isolated by themselves, these may be reasonable requests but when they 
are raised or orchestrated by drug traffickers, the goals become more 
malevolent.

[[Page S10428]]

  The protesters formed a coordinated block with the intent to make the 
government deal with all the demands together, in the form of a 
comprehensive package.
  There is little doubt that the largest risk for the country lies with 
the ``cocalero'' movement--the peasant coca growers--that is supported 
by regional drug trafficking interests. The drug traffickers are 
embarking on a desperate effort to reverse the anti-drug plan being 
waged by the Bolivian Government and turn back the remarkable progress 
in drug eradication that has been accomplished in the past few years.
  Coca leaders and the drug traffickers are aware that their leadership 
and the ill-gotten riches they derive from illegal narcotics will end 
if the final 1,800 hectares of coca in the Chapare are destroyed. This 
helps explain the intransigence of its leaders. During this crisis, the 
government has demonstrated a steady dedication to seek agreements 
through dialogue while retaining a respect for human rights.
  It is important to keep in mind that the current turmoil in Bolivia 
is occurring at a time when Bolivia is set to complete its program of 
coca eradication while simultaneously facing a serious economic crisis. 
Of the 40,000 hectares which have been used for the cultivation of 
coca, only 1,800 hectares remain.
  The Bolivian economy have taken a big hit from its effort to combat 
drug trafficking. The fight against drug trafficking alone has resulted 
in the loss of 3% of Bolivia's GDP. The fight against contraband and 
customs reforms have absorbed another 3% of the GDP of Bolivia. This is 
all the more remarkable because this pan to eradicate drugs has taken 
place in a country where 7 out of 10 Bolivians live on $2 a day, an 
income which is very much below the poverty line.
  For these and other reasons, the Government of Bolivia has called on 
the international community to do everything possible to ensure that 
the hard won efforts in the fight against drug trafficking are not 
turned back.
  Mr. President, let me conclude by saying that our resolution 
congratulates the Government of Bolivia for its successful drug 
elimination program and urges the government to continue its commitment 
to eradicate illegal coca by the end of 2002. It applauds the 
government's efforts to pursue its anti-narcotics strategy and urges 
the government to do what it can to uphold the rule of law and 
democratic practices, despite the strains the drug traffickers have 
imposed on the government. The resolution also stresses the view that 
human rights must continue to be safeguarded and urges the indigenous 
leaders to terminate provocative acts and negotiate the outstanding 
issues with the government of Bolivia.
  I urge our colleagues to take note of the successful drug eradication 
program in Bolivia and encourage the democratically-elected government 
in La Paz to sustain its commitment for total coca eradication by the 
end of next year.

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