Benjamin Gilman: “I rise in support of the amendment offered my colleague the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon]. His amendment is…”

“I rise in support of the amendment offered my colleague the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon]. His amendment is essential to our continued cooperative counternarcotics efforts in Colombia and Bolivia. I commend him for his leadership on the question of support for our international counternarcotics programs. Both Colombia and Bolivia have shown courage in the struggle against the scourge of illicit drugs. The traffickers have responded with assassinations and bribery. We cannot appear to cut off Colombia and Bolivia; it is not in our interest to surrender the Andes to the traffickers. My concern with the section as it stands before us is that it requires the Secretary of State to prove a negative. We ought not to tie the Administration's hands in providing military assistance to these key nations. Most of this aid goes to Colombian and Bolivian law enforcement elements to battle the illegal drug trade. Mr. Solomon's amendment helps continue this struggle. Lest we forget, the Colombians, with U.S. assistance, broke up the violent Medellin cartel and have taken steps against the Cali cartel. This same courageous nation with our assistance helped to bring Pablo Escobar, a notorious trafficker and murderer to his final end. Bolivia has made gains against the traffickers, as well. I urge the adoption of Mr. Solomon's amendment as a symbol of our continued engagement in the war against the illegal drug trade.”