Colombia and its democratically elected government are facing an urgent crisis that has narcotics, military and economic dimensions. Narco-traffickers in Colombia now supply about 80 percent of the cocaine used in the United States.

Colombian President Andres Pastrana, who took office in August 1998, has developed a comprehensive, integrated approach to addressing Colombia's problems. Plan Colombia would strengthen the Colombian economy and democracy, and fight narcotics trafficking. The Colombian government estimates that Plan Colombia will cost $7.5 billion and is dedicating $4 billion of its own resources. It has also asked for the participation and help of the United States and other nations.

The United States has a vital interest in the success of this plan. For this reason, the President is proposing an expanded comprehensive program; as a result, U.S. support over this year and next will total more than $1.6 billion.

The five major components of U.S. assistance are:

• Helping the Colombian Government push into the coca-growing regions of southern Colombia, which are now dominated by insurgent guerillas. Funds will help train special counter-narcotics battalions, purchase 30 Blackhawk and 33 Huey helicopters, and provide other support.

• Upgrading Colombian capability to aggressively interdict cocaine and cocaine traffickers. Funds will be used for radar, aircraft and airfield upgrades, and improved anti-narcotics intelligence gathering.

• Increasing coca crop eradication. The Administration will propose $96 million to purchase equipment that will enable the Colombian National Police to eradicate more coca and poppy fields.

• Promoting alternative crops and jobs. The Administration will propose $145 million over the next two years to provide economic alternatives for Colombian farmers who now grow coca and poppy plants.

• Increasing protection of human rights, expanding the rule of law, and promoting the peace process. The Administration will propose $93 million for new programs that will help the judicial system, and crack down on money laundering.

• This initiative will be submitted as part of the President's Budget. It will add to our current support of more than $150 million each year a $954 million emergency supplemental request for FY 2000, as well as an increase in FY 2001 of $318 million.

The Administration looks forward to working with Congress to help Colombia confront its current problems, while reducing the supply of drugs coming to the United States -- to help both their national interest and our own.