James T. Callahan: “The Obey amendment would strike from this bill the U.S. aid to the Colombian army while still allowing the Human Rights…”

“The Obey amendment would strike from this bill the U.S. aid to the Colombian army while still allowing the Human Rights, Justice and Alternative Development System to go forward. In return, he proposes that the House be allowed expedited consideration of the appropriations for the money later this year. But let me tell my colleagues the fallacy. While I am sure that the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) is sincere in his belief that we should delay this, and certainly he comes forth with some good justification, let us put the scenario where it is. President Pastrana has gone to the international community, as well as his own country, and developed collectively a package of about $7.5 billion to participate in this Colombia plan. Our share, according to the President's request, will be $1.3 billion. If, indeed, we today indicate to the guerillas in Colombia that we are not sufficiently interested to vote on this issue today and to send the message that we are going to participate, it is going to disable the ability of President Pastrana to go to the European Community and to the Japanese community and the others who have also pledged assistance. It is also going to cause him consternation in his own country, because it is going to be a political defeat for his plan.”