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Uribe Urges U.S. to Renew Anti-Drug Program

Colombian President Urges US to
Renew Anti-Drug Program

By Serena Parker

(VOA) Colombian President Alvaro Uribe says current U.S. policy supporting his government's counter-narcotics and anti-guerrilla efforts is working. He cites a record-high level of drug crop eradication, drug busts and related arrests. President Uribe is appealing to the U.S. Congress to renew the U.S. program, called Plan Colombia, when it expires later this year.

Since the Colombian government announced Plan Colombia in 1999, the United States has spent about three billion dollars to help fight drug trafficking, train the Colombian army to battle Marxist guerrillas and drug traffickers, and to improve and strengthen the country's democratic institutions.

With the six-year program set to expire at the end of September, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe urged the Bush administration and the U.S. Congress to continue U.S. support.

He says, Plan Colombia has been a major achievement. In the past, he says, there was a lot of talk and little action, but Plan Colombia transformed the rhetoric into actual aid.

The White House has said it supports renewing Plan Colombia, and negotiations are set to begin this month. In addition, Congress currently is considering President Bush's foreign aid bill for 2006, which contains $734 million for counter-narcotics initiatives in the Andean region.

Critics of Plan Colombia and other counter-narcotics initiatives in the region say that, despite the billions of dollars spent over the last several years, United Nations figures released in June show that coca cultivation in the region actually increased by two percent in 2004, as declines in Colombia were offset by massive gains in Peru and Bolivia.

Plan Colombia is just one issue President Uribe will discuss with his U.S. counterpart when they meet at today at Mr. Bush's ranch in Texas.

Mr. Uribe, who appeared in an exclusive interview with Voice of America's live weekly Spanish broadcast Foro Interamericano, said he would also push for the president to call on Congress to approve the Andean Region Free Trade Pact. Last year, the United States launched free trade negotiations with Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, and hopes to include Bolivia at a later date.

President Uribe said he thought the U.S. Senate's passage of CAFTA, the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement, and its approval by a key committee in the lower house, were hopeful signs.

He said the approval by the Senate of CAFTA gives a green light to the negotiations between the United States and the three Andean countries of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru that are working on a similar treaty with the United States.

Another sensitive issue in the U.S.-Colombian relationship is the extradition of Colombian citizens to the United States. Under a bilateral deal, some 200 Colombians have been extradited to the United States.

Now, the U.S. government would like to try two top paramilitary leaders and a guerrilla leader for drug-trafficking. So far, Colombia has refused to extradite the men, one of whom, Salvatore Mancuso, is the paramilitaries' chief negotiator in peace talks with the government.

President Uribe said each extradition request is weighed separately by the government and put into the context of peace talks between the Uribe government and guerrilla and paramilitary groups.

He says in the case of Salvatore Mancuso, the leader of the AUC or United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia paramilitaries in Colombia, he has agreed to a cease-fire, and demobilization and has dismantled his unit. Therefore, the president says, the government of Colombia, which had approved his extradition, has suspended it, as long as he meets the requirements of the cease-fire.

Mr. Uribe, whose four-year term expires in 2006, defended his administration's record on human rights and civil liberties, which critics say have been harmed by his policies. The president, who only serves one term under Colombian law, declined to speculate whether he would attempt to change the constitution, so that he could run for a second term.

Peter Miami

By Peter Miami on Aug 4, 2005, 11:12 in Politics & the war.

Peter Miami says on Aug 4, 2005, 11:14:

Three billion dollars "Since the Colombian government announced Plan Colombia in 1999, the United States has spent about three billion dollars to help fight drug trafficking, train the Colombian army to battle Marxist guerrillas and drug traffickers, and to improve and strengthen the country's democratic institutions".

Peter Miami

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ColombianoX says on Aug 4, 2005, 12:19:

"That shoudl be cut out before Colombia. Maybe COlombia too."

GIB,

You do know that without that aid, Colombia will become more dangerous with you in it. Is that what you want?

ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Rubiazo says on Aug 4, 2005, 13:31:

Maybe Uribe doesn't want his buddies from the AUC extradited because they are his buddies.

I certainly don't think that american $$$ makes colombia any safer a place to live in, by any stretch.

My strong suspicions are that Colombia would be a lot better off without US 'help'. There are too many strings attached to it.

What I would really like to see is Colombia Ecuador and Peru saying FUCK YOU to the US and joining Mercosur, and then Mercosur signing an agreement with the EU.

GIB let me know how Argentina is. I've always wanted to visit BA!

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 4, 2005, 13:40:

Colombia on its own It's easy enough to see what Colombia would be like without any US aid. Just dial the clock back 5 to 10 years and ask, "Is that Colombia better than it is today?"

I don't doubt that a lot of fat could be cut out of Plan Colombia, but I think it's naive to say it has harmed the country overall.

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Peter Miami says on Aug 4, 2005, 13:45:

I agree with GIB. I do live in the United States and I am tired of helping the whole world and constantly being talked bad about us. If you do not like the U.S. then do not accept our money and then talk bad about us all you want.

People around the world all they do is to speak bad about us then at the first sight of a problem, natural disaster or any other bad occurrence is to call us for money. When does anyone give us money or pay back in “WHOLE�? what they owe us? Like never!

Peter Miami

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BAQ says on Aug 4, 2005, 14:37:

Screw em A agree with GIB, SCREW ***DELETED*** Don;t give am a DIME, in fact, bomb em back to the stone age !!!

Our money (tax dollars) are BETTER SPENT IN COLOMBIA and other countries that are HONESTLY OUR FRIENDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Semper Fidelis !

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 4, 2005, 14:49:

Ahem BAQ, would you refer to someone as a POST EDITED BECAUSE BAQ REMOVED HIS OFFENSIVE TERM.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 4, 2005, 14:54:

Egypt Actually, there are a lot of Egyptians with a legitimate axe to grind against the US for propping up Mubarak for almost 20 years. It's not like all or even most of that aid makes it down to the little people there.

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BAQ says on Aug 4, 2005, 15:08:

Humm Well, I don;t see what was offensive about the term I used, but it;s not my board, so go with the flow.

Anyway, If someone has a legitimate axe to grind with the U.S fine, but that's a reason to support terrorism?

I have legitimate axe's to grind with LOTS of people but I am not sitting at home thinking of ways to kill innocent people. SAME APPLIES TO FARC, if they are pissed at the Colombian Govt, it doesn;t do any good killing innocent civilians.

Uribe has done LOTS of good for Colombia to stem the tide of terrorist bombings. I feel MUCH safer here now than I would have 5 years ago. As long as the infusion of money from the U.S is helping, which it appears to be doing, KEEP THE MONEY FLOWING.

As a side note, BUSH has always stated he is a "Result oriented" person, show him results and you will continue to get support and thats exactly what Uribe has done, shown results.

Semper Fidelis !

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ColombianoX says on Aug 4, 2005, 15:58:

Tinto,

I believe the President of the USA now makes $400,000 a year.

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Aug 4, 2005, 16:11:

Thanks for the correction I need to go back to civics class. From a quick internet search: It was $200,000 for 30 years and changed in 1999. Under the constitution, the change could not take place until the next inauguration (January 2001).

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Rubiazo says on Aug 4, 2005, 19:57:

The Egypt thing is a bribe for them not to attack Israel, plain and simple.
I certainly wasn't in Colombia 5 years ago. But I've seen the way the US and Canada have gone over the past 30 years and I think we're going nowhere but backwards. Give me back the 80s any day!! I really hope Colombia doesnt get dragged down the toilet with us.

Mario, South Americans and Mexicans ARE repatriating in droves, I think they took your advice before you even gave it.

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adrimm says on Aug 4, 2005, 20:29:

wrong branch? Shouldn't this be in "talk politics"?

While I do believe that a great deal of aid has idealistic origins, alot of it has political connections and restrictions. To be honest I haven't really put alot of interest in what the US is doing in Colombia for the US anti-drug campaign, although I'm always hearing how much money it is. Clearly US aid has helped the Colombian people, but in the case of the anti-drug campaign, I'm really struggling to understand why they don't at least spend as many (highly publicized) dollars tackle the problem at it's "other" origin, the ongoing demand in the US.

Call me cynical but from one perspective publicising the US-war-on-drugs-in-Colombia really helps reinforce the idea to the US public that the root cuase of US drugs problem is not domestic demand, rather a foreign problem caused by "them" not "us".

I don't fault Uribe for supporting the program, it is after all income spent in Colombia, and the alternative of not appearing supportive, could have catastrophic effects (as we've seen how this administration deals with "threats).

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poco says on Aug 5, 2005, 00:57:

600 Percent Where is that money going and what are they planning on doing with it when they have it?

Good question. The Middle Eastern countries have been constructing some of the finest facilities in the world for QUITE some time. These projects were envisioned started and some completed with oil in the Minus 15 dollar range.

The engineering utilized “experts�? from the days of building Oil facilities. Invitation ONLY because the people in the middle east have learned how to manage and understand who can "cut it".

This Barhain Grand Prix Track was managed by a high level British Engineer who had worked and lived in the Saudi for 30 years. He was KNOWN for his expertise. No oil facility to work on? NO PROBLEM. Work is at hand and a good man needs to be kept busy.

Bahrain Grand Prix Track - Link

Information and location of Bahrain

Next is the completed Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai. One of the more stunning pieces of architecture in the world.

Dubai Hotel – 2 meg Power Point Presentation - Impressive

The latest project under construction and partially complete is truly spectacular. The foresight to envision such a project is a credit to the Middle Eastern Countries.

The city buildings are underway and the islands almost finished. The idea behind this project staggers the imagination when considering the conception was with oil less than half of the price now.

There will be NOTHING like this in the world. Not even close.

Dubai City – 1 meg Power Point Presentation

Information and location of Dubai

The Arab Emirates (capital Abu Dhabi), especially Dubai have some of the most spectacular golf courses in the WORLD. Shame I couldn’t find the aerial series of Tiger Wood Teeing off the HELIPORT at the Hotel.

The beaches,, take a look. There is absolutely no telling what Qatar will accomplish in the next 10 years and yes Oxychem, BP, Amaco and many others are helping make this happen right now. There will be jobs during construction and when finished many more will have employment.

Should the future be anything like the past many people from all over the world will seek the opportunities made available by OIL and pursue their happiness in the Middle East.

This is but a glimmer of what could have been in Iraq, Iran and a sad commentary on the affairs of Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia. What a waste.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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lpdiver says on Aug 5, 2005, 02:15:

What is sad Is that a more economic and enviromentally friendly fuel source has been shelved so that we can continue to support the overpriced petroleum industry.

t

"cook some rice!"

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poco says on Aug 5, 2005, 03:51:

Shocking !!!!! Is that a more economic and enviromentally friendly fuel source has been shelved so that we can continue to support the overpriced petroleum industry.

Considering the U.S. is hoarding all that technology they got from the Roswell UFO crash makes this doubly worse.

I don't know about the others but I've got a Colombian baby goat eating my grass with a custom designed flatulence filter to improve the air quality.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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quindioman says on Aug 5, 2005, 04:03:

the people that benefit from Plan Colombia are the rich and middle class modefoks that can now drive safely between cities in their 4x4...AFAIK all the poor Indian and Black modefoks continue to struggle.
Someone wrote somewhere else that they dream of the day they can hire a car in La Guajira and drive it down to Leticia....I dream of the day a Guajiro can hire a car and drive without middle and rich modefoks making a stink about it

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quindioman says on Aug 5, 2005, 06:30:

.... "Meanwhile they bitched about the money the US was giving even though corporate and government aid combined was more than any other country in the world. Why do Americans put up with this shit? I don't get it anymore"

They did give more money but that's because the US has the most...I look for %of GDP contributed to get a
balanced view

According to you the man with 1 million dollars that contributes 100 dollars is less stingy than the poor modefok with a 100 dollars but contributes $50.....

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Colombiche says on Aug 5, 2005, 07:03:

Cockney, I guess you are quoting me.. "Someone wrote somewhere else that they dream of the day they can hire a car in La Guajira and drive it down to Leticia....I dream of the day a Guajiro can hire a car and drive without middle and rich modefoks making a stink about it"

I didn't say "HIRE" a car, I said "RENT". The same way I rent a car anywhere else. All I was trying to say is that it would be nice for the average citizen like me to be able to drive (or walk, or bike, or hitch-hike for that matter) the entire country of Colombia, from North to South without feeling threatened. I am trying to illustrate is the fact that as a Colombian, I am ashamed to not have been more places in my country. Places like Los Llanos orientales, La Serrania de la macarena. Why should I pay like $2000 dollars for a Costa Rican Eco tour (that is a hell of a lot of money to me man) when my own homeland has more biodiversity, more plant species, more pre-columbian ruins? My own country is the most biodiverse place on earth, the only country with a snow peak right beside the ocean, but I can't feel free to just enjoy that because there are areas where we just shouldn't venture? It is a shame to have to travel colombia and be worried about safety. It is a shame to not be able to explore every single corner and crevice of such an amazing place.

I care about the poor colombians, but I wasn't even going into that. I was talking about overall safety. At the end of the day, safety and political stability is good for all.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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juancegomez says on Aug 5, 2005, 13:48:

The problem with U.S. aid to Colombia is that it's too much military/prohibition-based. If the U.S. cut drug/military aid in half and spent an equivalent amount on other sectors that really need aid, then things would improve much more in the long run, lessening the need for more U.S. aid down the line.

Then again, if the U.S. really wants to be isolationist, then it should not just stop aiding Colombia but most other countries in the world, and it should pull its troops back from the Middle East ASAP.

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cali373 says on Aug 5, 2005, 14:10:

adrimm, I am curious to know in what way "Clearly US aid has helped the Colombian people" It certainly has helped US government defense contractors and Monsanto. Oh yeah it also has helped the colombian company that supplies those two additional "safe" chemicals which are being used for eradication. oh yeah, there are less middle -class folks being kidnapped, because you they make up such a majority in Colombia (yeah right). The Colombian Army Soldier may be better off, I will give them that.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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cali373 says on Aug 5, 2005, 14:17:

Israel,Egypt, Colombia I remember reading that apart from Israel and Egypt, Colombia is the third recipient of the most of U.S. (taxpayer) aide, or more appropriately Corporate welfare for the U.S. legal weapons traffickers. Doesn't that mean that Eqypt and Israel get more money? does anyone know?

Smile if you are a thinker!

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adrimm says on Aug 5, 2005, 17:39:

Thank you GIB Exactly what I had in mind. But then that brings us to the next question, will some of the benefits last once the money goes? I'm really unsure of this.

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