Joe Biden: “assisting Andean countries combat illicit narcotics is an important national security goal for the United States. The…”

“assisting Andean countries combat illicit narcotics is an important national security goal for the United States. The Foreign Relations Committee has heard considerable testimony from the administration and other witnesses as to the importance of this issue, both for the United States and for the maintenance of democracy in South America. Much effort and resources are already being devoted to this important goal, and the Administration plans to do still more. The Andean Trade Preferences Act extension passed by the Senate adds important additional support to this effort. At the same time, however, the United States and our allies are also engaged in a war against terrorism. Defeating global terrorism is a goal no less important than eradicating narcotics trafficking. One of the frontline States in the war against terrorism is the Philippines where, at the invitation of the Philippine Government, U.S. troops have been deployed to train the Armed Forces of the Philippines in counterterrorism. The reason our joint counterterrorism mission with the Philippines is relevant to discussion of the Andean trade bill is because one provision contained in this bill, in a laudable effort to support the legitimate economies of Andean countries, will seriously damage our counter-terrorism effort in the Philippines.”