[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.