Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007

FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 2006 AND 2007 -- (House of Representatives - July 19, 2005)

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Burton amendment because I simply do not believe we have enough accountability for current U.S. funding, training and equipment provided to Colombia, let alone for providing additional military aircraft.

Mr. Chairman, the Colombian Government has received over $4 billion in U.S. aid since 2000; $3.2 billion of that aid has been provided to Colombia's military and police. A significant amount of funding and equipment has been provided to Colombia's Navy in the Pentagon's budget and paid for by defense appropriations.

This includes counterdrug funding, equipment, training, aircraft and patrol boats under sections 1004 and 1033 through the transfer of excess defense equipment, and through the DOD Anti-Terrorism Assistance account. But $169 million in these defense accounts alone is going to be appropriate for Colombia in the FY 2006 defense appropriations bill.

For funds provided through the State Department, the House just approved $332 million in military aid for Colombia as part of the Andean Counterdrug Initiative and an additional $90 million in military aid under the Foreign Military Financing accounts. These funds provide military equipment, training and services for Colombia's antidrug programs, including interdiction, in the FY 2006 foreign operations bill which the House passed on June 28.

In addition, the foreign operations bill included another $21 million for the aircraft and technical assistance for the Air Bridge Denial Program, which the State Department describes as the cornerstone of our deterrence in narcotrafficking efforts in Colombia.

I find it hard to believe that these two marine patrol aircraft for the Colombian Navy cannot already be provided for under some of the existing Pentagon and State Department programs.

Mr. Chairman, there is precious little accountability for the U.S. tax dollars, equipment, and training that we already have provided to Colombia. I do not see why we should add to this lack of accountability additional aircraft, no matter what its purpose may be.

Before we send good money down after bad, let us demand a little accountability for the equipment, the training, the aircraft, the boats, the funding that we have already provided. Colombia is awash with U.S. military assistance, and there is no accountability.

There are some bad things happening in Colombia, not the least of which is the flawed demobilization process for right-wing paramilitaries that may very well let killers and narcotraffickers go unpunished. There is a new law in Colombia that may make null and void extradition warrants that the United States has out against narcotraffickers and killers and people who have done great harm to our people.

Today we should be having a comprehensive debate on U.S. policy in Colombia. Sadly, the Republican leadership denied us that opportunity. In light of the fact that there is no accountability, that we are having no real debate on Colombia, that the situation down there continues to be of great concern, I have no choice but to reluctantly vote ``no'' on the Burton amendment.

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