U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
August 23, 2000
2000/916


Statement By Richard Boucher, Spokesman


PLAN COLOMBIA CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS


On August 18, Acting Secretary of State Loy, on the instruction
of Secretary Albright, certified that the President of Colombia
has directed in writing that Colombian Armed Forces personnel who
are credibly alleged to have committed gross violations of human
rights will be brought to justice in Colombia's civilian courts,
in accordance with the 1997 ruling of Colombia's Constitutional
Court regarding civilian court jurisdiction in human rights
cases.  The Acting Secretary made this certification based upon
the transmittal of an August 17, 2000 directive from Colombian
President Pastrana to the Colombian Minister of Defense, the
Military Commander, and the Director of the Colombian National
Police and to personnel under their command requiring that the
military relinquish to the civilian judiciary the investigation,
prosecution, and trial of grave human rights violations.

The Acting Secretary of State also determined that while the
Government of Colombia is actively taking steps to meet the other
conditions on assistance, and despite President Pastrana's
commitment to improving human rights protection, more work needs
to be done before the Administration can certify the six
remaining conditions of section 3201, five of which address human
rights-related criteria.

President Clinton has determined, pursuant to authority granted
to him under section 3201(a)(4) of the Plan Colombia portion of
the Emergency Supplemental Act, that it is in the national
security interest of the United States to begin furnishing
assistance made available under the Act to the Government of
Colombia, even though the six remaining conditions of section
3201 cannot be certified at this time.  Our assistance package is
crucial to maintaining our counterdrug efforts and aiding the
Colombian government and people in preserving Colombia's
democracy and strengthening the rule of law.  Moreover, it is in
the national security interest of the United States to promote
economic reform, protection of U.S. citizens, and hemispheric
stability, all of which will be addressed by our planned support
for Colombia.

The Administration believes the certification requirement will
lead to strengthened protection for human rights in Colombia, and
we are actively working with the Colombian government to make
concrete progress in all areas stipulated by the law.  The U.S.
assistance in the Emergency Supplemental Act contains substantial
increases in support for Colombian programs that promote human
rights and strengthen the rule of law, including $48.5 million
for support for human rights programs and security for human
rights workers, $65.5 million for administration of justice
programs, and $199 for alternative economic development programs
throughout the region.

The Acting Secretary also certified, pursuant to section 3207 of
the Act, that the U.S. Government publicly supports the
Government of Colombia's military and political efforts,
consistent with human rights conditions in the Act, necessary to
effectively resolve the conflicts with the guerrillas and
paramilitaries that threaten the territorial integrity, economic
prosperity, and rule of law in Colombia.  We believe that an
integrated, comprehensive approach to Colombia's interlocking
challenges holds the best promise of success.


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