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United States Support For Colombia   Fact Sheet released by the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs   March 28, 2000

Plan Colombia and the Peace Process

• The U.S. Government believes strongly that its assistance will help Colombia reinvigorate its economy, enhance its governing capability, discourage human rights abuses, and reduce the money available to guerrillas and paramilitaries from drug trafficking. Thus, the plan represents the best chance to promote real progress in the peace process.

• As President Clinton has stated clearly, our policy in Colombia is to support President Pastrana's efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the country's longstanding civil conflict and, along with our other regional partners, to work on fighting illicit drugs.

• The long-term success of Plan Colombia is intimately tied to the success of the peace process. Until the country's civil conflict is resolved, sustained progress will be more difficult on all other fronts -- reducing drug supply, protecting human rights, and promoting democracy and economic development.

• U.S. assistance will help train government negotiators and advisors on managing conflict and negotiating. Training will draw on the lessons learned in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, and Central America. The training also will use techniques for reintegrating ex-combatants into civil society.

• President Pastrana and his team have offered a generous scope for peace negotiations. The U.S. encourages guerrilla and paramilitary groups to join in a serious search for peace.

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