Columbia Bill

[Jake]

First off, let me present my arguements for each section of the bill and how they will affect the situation in South America.

Section One:

1. Military aid to Colombia under the Foreign Military Financing Program shall be raised from $ 108,000,000 in FY 2005 to $ 250,000,000 in FY 2006.

An increase in provided military aid will support activities by the Colombian military and national police to take the war to the drug lords and FARC militias without being forced to rely on the AUC to fight much of the war. Specifically, an increase in aid will make availible funds to purchase helicopters which are a major asset to military operations in the jungles of Colombia.

Section Two:

2. Economic aid to Colombia under the International Narcotics Control Program shall be raised from $ 484,000,000 in FY 2005 to 600,000,00) in FY 2006.

Colombia is estimated to produce 80% of the world's cocaine, much of which is used to fund paramilitary operations of the FARC militias against the elected government. Those drugs invariably end up on the streets of Atlasia, leading to gang violence and drug addiction in our nation. By increasing funding to combat this drug cultivation, Atlasia is taking a step not only for Colombia's future, but for our future. The additional funds appropriated will be targeted at increasing spraying operations against coca farms and eliminating drug proliferation to the country.

Section Three:

3. Sections 3201, 3204(a), 3204(b), and 3207 of H.R. 4425 (The 2001 Military Construction Appropriations Act) are hereby repealed.

These sections remove waivers placed on the transfer of funds that forbid appropriations if human rights abuses are discovered to have been occuring at the Colombian government's hands. Section 3204(b) removes restrictions that hold US troop levels to less than 500 personel.

Section Four:

4. Under the heading of Colombia in the Foreign Policy Review, it shall read:
'The democratic movement in Colombia is greatly encouraged, and Atlasia will take all steps possible to support a quick transition to full and fair democracy. We recognize Colombia's support for eliminating narcotics terrorism in South America and shall designate Colombia as having no military or economic restrictions.'

This paragraph is fairly self-explanatory.

I also request that 'Senator' MAS provide where support for a rebel movement in Venezuela is provided for in this bill.

[Jake]

The Senate can write Foreign Policy based on previously passed acts Hugh and Colombia is at war with the FARC and so are we.

[Jake]

It's a paltry sum when compared with funding for our operations in Iraq. Indeed, this sum could pay for maybe a day or less over there.

[Jake]

I'm going to need to watch the debates on this one, as I have no opinion on this whatsoever currently.

Anything specific you'd like to know?

[Jake]

Hugo's support for the FARC militias is violent action. It would be comparable to the US supplying and supporting armed militias in Canada. Cheese Whiz, you're also missing the main point of this bill. It's not to ban drugs, but to eliminate them as a source of income for drug gangs and FARC. This bill does not seek to make cocaine any more illegal, only to end its negative effects on society.

Hugh: If you'd like, propose an amendment to eliminate Section 4. I will listen to the Secretary if he requests that the Senate not interfere with his foreign policy list.

Texasgurl: I'll leave you to go coddle more communist militias.

[Jake]

I'd like the opinion of the Secretary of State on removing Section Four before I vote.

[Jake]

On that note, Nay

[Jake]

Hugh, do you not understand this law right here? Section IV, Clause 3 is relevent here.

[Jake]

As soon as the previous one is closed.

[Jake]

Also, could Sam someone provide figures on how much money we're currently providing to Colombia?

The figures are in the bill text itself. Those two programs form all but the very smallest chunk of funding.

Also, tabling isn't a legitimate action recognized by Senate procedure anyway.

[Jake]

Nay

[Jake]

I'd like to amend section 4 to read as follows:

4. Under the heading of Colombia in the Foreign Policy Review, it shall read:
The democratic movement in Colombia is greatly encouraged, and Atlasia will take all steps possible to support a quick transition to full and fair democracy. We recognize Colombia's support for eliminating narcotics terrorism in South America and shall designate Colombia as having no economic restrictions and partial military restrictions due to the risk of sophisticated weapons falling into the hands of the FARC..

[Jake]

Aye

[Jake]

I believe it passes now (5 of 9 voters). If so, I'd like to introduce another amendment.

Section Three shall be amended to read:

3. Sections 3204(a) and 3204(b) of H.R. 4425 (The 2001 Military Construction Appropriations Act) are hereby repealed.

[Jake]

what does 3204a dictate?

This is the text of section 3204

SEC. 3204. LIMITATIONS ON SUPPORT FOR PLAN COLOMBIA AND ON THE ASSIGNMENT OF UNITED STATES PERSONNEL IN COLOMBIA. (a) LIMITATION ON SUPPORT FOR PLAN COLOMBIA-

(1) LIMITATION- Except as provided in paragraph (2), none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by any Act shall be available for support of Plan Colombia unless and until--

(A) the President submits a report to Congress requesting the availability of such funds; and

(B) Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the request of the President under subparagraph (A).

(2) EXCEPTIONS- The limitation in paragraph (1) does not apply to--

(A) appropriations made by this Act, the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2001, the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2001, the Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2001, the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001, or the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2001, for the purpose of support of Plan Colombia; or

(B) the unobligated balances from any other program used for their originally appropriated purpose to combat drug production and trafficking, foster peace, increase the rule of law, improve human rights, expand economic development, and institute justice reform in the countries covered by Plan Colombia.

(3) WAIVER- The limitations in subsection (a) may be waived by an Act of Congress.

(b) LIMITATION ON ASSIGNMENT OF UNITED STATES PERSONNEL IN COLOMBIA-

(1) LIMITATION- Except as provided in paragraph (2), none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act (including funds described in subsection (c)) may be available for--

(A) the assignment of any United States military personnel for temporary or permanent duty in Colombia in connection with support of Plan Colombia if that assignment would cause the number of United States military personnel so assigned in Colombia to exceed 500; or

(B) the employment of any United States individual civilian retained as a contractor in Colombia if that employment would cause the total number of United States individual civilian contractors employed in Colombia in support of Plan Colombia who are funded by Federal funds to exceed 300.

(2) EXCEPTION- The limitation contained in paragraph (1) shall not apply if--

(A) the President submits a report to Congress requesting that the limitation not apply; and

(B) Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the request of the President under subparagraph (A).

(c) WAIVER- The President may waive the limitation in subsection (b)(1) for a single period of up to 90 days in the event that the Armed Forces of the United States are involved in hostilities or that imminent involvement by the Armed Forces of the United States in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances.

(d) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the authority of the President to carry out any emergency evacuation of United States citizens or any search or rescue operation for United States military personnel or other United States citizens.

(e) REPORT ON SUPPORT FOR PLAN COLOMBIA- Not later than June 1, 2001, and not later than June 1 and December 1 of each of the succeeding 4 fiscal years, the President shall submit a report to Congress setting forth any costs (including incremental costs incurred by the Department of Defense) incurred by any department, agency, or other entity of the executive branch of Government during the two previous fiscal quarters in support of Plan Colombia.

[Jake]

Aye

[Jake]

Aye