This is an August 2007 copy of a website maintained by the Center for International Policy. It is posted here for historical purposes. The Center for International Policy no longer maintains this resource.

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Last Updated:6/13/06
Speech by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-New York), March 15, 2006

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
With great respect for my colleague, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment though I think he raises a valid concern. I just returned from Colombia, and I think there is a real need to boost the Colombian government's interdiction efforts. I think, in fact, I think that greater focus on interdiction may well be more effective than our current emphasis on eradication. However, I think the responsibility for funding this program lies first and foremost with the Colombian government.
The President of Colombia was in Washington just a few weeks ago and met with Chairman Kolbe and me. He did not indicate to us any pressing need for this assistance. In fact, I believe the State Department is seeking to reprogram funds away from Colombian aviation programs and the Colombian national police to finance the demobilization programs.
That said, I do agree that the gentleman raises an important point. I think it is time that we look at a different mix for funding for Colombia, one that boosts spending on alternate development and interdiction programs and reduces funding for eradication programs which I think are ineffective at best. However, I think this amendment is better considered in the context of FY 2007 appropriations process where a more comprehensive discussion of the Colombia program can take place, and I think that is what is really needed here.
There is no emergency requirement for the funding. It does not belong in the supplemental. Therefore, I do urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.

As of June 13, 2006 this page was also available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/R?r109:FLD001:H51010

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