[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S12461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ANDEAN TRADE PREFERENCE ACT

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) 
expired yesterday. Signed into law in 1991 by the former President 
Bush, this Act established a unique approach to combating the War on 
Drugs in Latin America. Rather than assisting Bolivia, Colombia, 
Ecuador, and Peru solely through military assistance or direct 
financial aid, the supporters of ATPA sought to reduce drug trafficking 
through economic expansion. It was believed that increased trade would 
promote healthy economies, diversify export bases, and create jobs 
outside of the drug trade. Unlike other forms of aid, the expansion of 
free trade benefits everyone. American consumers benefit from a wider 
variety of lower-priced goods, while the citizens of Andean nations 
benefit from the creation of legitimate jobs outside of the drug trade.
  Since the enactment of ATPA, positive changes have occurred within 
the region. Two-way trade between the United States and the Andean 
nations has doubled. Bolivia succeeded in eradicating 95% of its coca 
plantations. Recently, Peru experienced a peaceful democratic 
transition from autocratic rule. In Colombia alone, ATPA helped to 
create over 140,000 new jobs. Today, farmers in the region are choosing 
to plant coffee beans, asparagus, and flowers instead of coca. With the 
expiration of ATPA, these successes are now in jeopardy.
  While our nation remains engaged in a battle against terrorism, we 
must not lose sight of the critical security risks that remain not far 
beyond our borders. The Andean region is not only the world's primary 
source of coca, it is also a haven for terrorism and terrorist groups 
that thrive on funding derived from the drug trade. I am a staunch 
supporter of our war efforts, but I am also fearful of the consequences 
of neglecting this troubled region within our own hemisphere.
  We are now at a critical juncture. Failing to extend ATPA sends a 
message to terrorist groups, drug traffickers, and counter-
revolutionaries, that the United States is no longer committed to the 
region, and this inaction could impact our national security. Terrorism 
lurks in abandoned and hopeless regions, where good people resort to 
such measures out of desperation. As our nation's attention focuses on 
the war effort, we must not allow ourselves to neglect regions that 
still need our support and attention.
  In March, Senator Graham introduced S. 525, the Andean Trade 
Preference Expansion Act, of which I am a proud co-sponsor. That bill 
would expand and extend the current act, with the hope of furthering 
economic development and stability in the region. Unfortunately, that 
bill has yet to be debated on the Senate floor. While the Senate 
remains mired in partisan squabbling, the House of Representatives 
successfully passed a good bill on November 16 to extend and to expand 
ATPA. The expiration of ATPA should be a concern of all of us. I hope 
that the Majority leader will expeditiously move to schedule floor time 
for the consideration of an expansion of this important legislation 
before the fragile economies of the Andean region are left to falter.

                          ____________________