    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [November 10, 1999]
    [Pages 2049-2050]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Funding for Colombian Counternarcotics Efforts
    November 10, 1999

        Fourteen months ago, the inauguration of President Andres
    Pastrana brought to Colombia a new spirit of
    hope for deeper democracy, for broader prosperity, for an end to that
    country's long civil conflict. President Pastrana has put forth a bold
    agenda--plan Colombia--to address his nation's toughest challenges. But
    the obstacles to a better future for Colombia are substantial. In
    particular, continued drug production and trafficking puts Colombia's
    progress in peril. It also fuels addiction and violence in other
    countries, including ours.
        Therefore, I am pleased that the current foreign operations bill,
    which I hope the Congress will approve, provides our full $78 million
    request for programs to help President Pastrana fight the drug trade in Colombia. It provides a total
    of $305 million for global counterdrug efforts, which could allow
    additional spending focused on Colombia. My overall FY 2000 budget
    request funds other efforts to assist in this fight--such as asset
    forfeiture, military assistance, and training--totaling more than $70
    million. Earlier this fall, we approved a further $58 million in
    drawdown funds for counterdrug

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    efforts in Colombia, and we anticipate providing additional help,
    including DEA assistance, alternative development, and potential
    additional drawdown authority.
        While we will continue to move forward to aid plan Colombia with
    currently available funds, more funding is needed if we are to gain the
    upper hand in the fight against drugs and help Colombia on the path to
    stable democracy. I have asked my senior advisers to work with Congress,
    following completion of the current budget process, to enhance our
    bilateral assistance programs for counterdrug efforts and for other
    programs to help President Pastrana deepen
    democracy and promote prosperity. We will also continue to encourage our
    allies and the international institutions to assist Colombia in
    implementing President Pastrana's strategy.
        Strengthening stability and democracy in Colombia, and fighting the
    drug trade there, is the right thing to do, and it is very much in
    America's own national interest. So, with President Pastrana and with our Congress, we must and we will intensify
    this vital work.