Colombia and U.S. Sign "Plan Colombia" Umbrella Agreement

Statement by Ambassador Anne W. Patterson
Signing of Agreements between Colombia and the United States
on Plan Colombia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
September 27, 2000

I am pleased to sign today, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Guillermo
Fernandez de Soto, the agreement that will begin the process of
disbursing U.S. funds in support of Plan Colombia. With this
agreement, Colombia will become the third largest recipient of U.S.
assistance in the world. This is one of the most important commitments
that the United States has ever undertaken in this hemisphere.

I returned yesterday from Washington and I would like to say to all
Colombians that there is in the United States an enormous feeling of
support for your country, enormous interest in your problems and great
respect and admiration for the courage of your leaders, pubic and
private. It is important that we begin [implementing] Plan Colombia,
that we begin concrete projects that will reduce narcotics trafficking
and will help Colombian institutions.

I am particularly pleased to sign the first three appendices to the
agreement that represent concrete plans for implementing Plan
Colombia. Those agreements will be implemented by the United States
through the Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID will
provide almost $95 million to begin programs to strengthen democracy,
alternative development and humanitarian assistance to displaced
persons.

Our commitment for these social projects underscores the support of
the United States across the full range of Plan Colombia, a
comprehensive, integrated and thoughtful plan launched by the
government of Colombia.

In the area of strengthening democracy, U.S. funding made available
today continues a partnership that has existed between USAID and
various public and private entities in Colombia since 1991. New
resources will help reform the justice system, promote respect for
human rights and invigorate municipal government.

In the area of alternative development, these funds will support
efforts by the Colombian government to promote alternatives to illicit
crop cultivation, improve rural infrastructure and better manage
natural resources.

In the area of humanitarian assistance, new resources will provide
health care, education, housing and credit services for small
business.

Through agreements such as those signed today, the United States
reaffirms its partnership with the Colombian government to achieve the
inter-related political, economic and social objectives of Plan
Colombia.

Thank you very much.