WEEKLY MEDIA AVAILABILITY WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

WASHINGTON, D.C.



9:15 A.M. EDT -- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2000


Q: Ms. Reno, what can you report to us about your trip to Colombia?
Specifically, do you think Colombia is going to be receiving
sufficient arms, sufficient cash to fight the drug traficantes, the
growers especially? Is that a hopeful situation in your eyes? What can
you tell us?


ATTY. GEN. RENO: I am very hopeful. It was a very good day. I was
impressed by the candor of everyone. I was impressed by the dedication
of the government of Colombia to address these issues. And I
reiterated to my colleagues in Colombia their -- our great respect and
gratitude for the work that they have done with the extradition of the
drug traffickers, with the bilateral initiative that we have ongoing,
that is producing results. And I think that from a law enforcement
perspective, we've had some of the best cooperation that we've had in
many years.


Q: What does the increasing productivity of the areas held by the FARC
and the other rebel groups, the increased productivity of cocaine
especially -- how does that bode for the U.S. market?


Doesn't that mean there's more cocaine to catch coming into this
country?


ATTY. GEN. RENO: I think it's going to require that we redouble our
efforts in terms of focusing on the traffickers, getting them out of
Colombia to be tried here for crimes that are committed here, and that
I feel very hopeful that we will be able to work together to achieve
our common goals.


Q: What about the 1.3 billion? Is there any accountability on it? Has
it been earmarked to specific places in Colombia, and is that being
monitored?


ATTY. GEN. RENO: I have asked our staff in the Justice Management
Division to do everything it can with respect to monies coming to the
Department of Justice or for which we are responsible, to ensure
accountability and so that at the end of the program, we can tell the
people where the money went.