Columbia Bill

[Filuwaúrdjan]

As introduced by Senator Jake...

The Colombia Bill

Recognizing the Uribe government in Colombia represents a strong ally in South America and acts as a bullwark against Hugo Chavez's Venezuela and finding that support for this ally is crucial to Atlasia's interests in the region, the Senate agrees to take the following steps to address this situation.

1. Military aid to Colombia under the Foreign Military Financing Program shall be raised from $ 108,000,000 in FY 2005 to $ 250,000,000 in FY 2006.

2. Economic aid to Colombia under the International Narcotics Control Program shall be raised from $ 484,000,000 in FY 2005 to 600,000,00) in FY 2006.

3. Sections 3201, 3204(a), 3204(b), and 3207 of H.R. 4425 (The 2001 Military Construction Appropriations Act) are hereby repealed.

4. Under the heading of Colombia in the Foreign Policy Review, it shall read:
The democratic movement in Colombia is greatly encouraged, and Atlasia will take all steps possible to support a quick transition to full and fair democracy. We recognize Colombia's support for eliminating narcotics terrorism in South America and shall designate Colombia as having no military or economic restrictions.

[CheeseWhiz]

After hearing some of the things Hugo has done, I think I support this, but would still very much like to hear the debate.  I know somewhat of what Hugo's doing, but nothing of the Columbia Government.  As I've said many times, I'm not a Foreign Policy guy

[Jake]

First off, let me present my arguements for each section of the bill and how they will affect the situation in South America.

Section One:

1. Military aid to Colombia under the Foreign Military Financing Program shall be raised from $ 108,000,000 in FY 2005 to $ 250,000,000 in FY 2006.

An increase in provided military aid will support activities by the Colombian military and national police to take the war to the drug lords and FARC militias without being forced to rely on the AUC to fight much of the war. Specifically, an increase in aid will make availible funds to purchase helicopters which are a major asset to military operations in the jungles of Colombia.

Section Two:

2. Economic aid to Colombia under the International Narcotics Control Program shall be raised from $ 484,000,000 in FY 2005 to 600,000,00) in FY 2006.

Colombia is estimated to produce 80% of the world's cocaine, much of which is used to fund paramilitary operations of the FARC militias against the elected government. Those drugs invariably end up on the streets of Atlasia, leading to gang violence and drug addiction in our nation. By increasing funding to combat this drug cultivation, Atlasia is taking a step not only for Colombia's future, but for our future. The additional funds appropriated will be targeted at increasing spraying operations against coca farms and eliminating drug proliferation to the country.

Section Three:

3. Sections 3201, 3204(a), 3204(b), and 3207 of H.R. 4425 (The 2001 Military Construction Appropriations Act) are hereby repealed.

These sections remove waivers placed on the transfer of funds that forbid appropriations if human rights abuses are discovered to have been occuring at the Colombian government's hands. Section 3204(b) removes restrictions that hold US troop levels to less than 500 personel.

Section Four:

4. Under the heading of Colombia in the Foreign Policy Review, it shall read:
'The democratic movement in Colombia is greatly encouraged, and Atlasia will take all steps possible to support a quick transition to full and fair democracy. We recognize Colombia's support for eliminating narcotics terrorism in South America and shall designate Colombia as having no military or economic restrictions.'

This paragraph is fairly self-explanatory.

I also request that 'Senator' MAS provide where support for a rebel movement in Venezuela is provided for in this bill.

[MasterJedi]

I'm leaning Aye on this bill but we'll see.

[MAS117]

Sorry Jake, I read this wrong and my opinion has changed.

[Platypus]

1. We're in the middle of huge spending cuts, and you want to give a different nation's military-and one that's hardly clean-an EXTRA $142,000,000?!?

2. See (1)

3. Whilst I would support removal of 3204(b), but based on the description you gave of the others (the link doesn't work), I wouldn't support that except in wartime, and even then would hate to do so.

4. That is the Secretary's job, not the Senate's.

Colombia is better then Venezuala, sure, and Uribe does seem to be genuine in his desire for democratic reform. But we can't afford this bill, and shouldn't implement it 'just in case'; it goes to far in just about every area.

[Jake]

The Senate can write Foreign Policy based on previously passed acts Hugh and Colombia is at war with the FARC and so are we.

[Gabu]

I'm going to need to watch the debates on this one, as I have no opinion on this whatsoever currently.

[DanielX]

The amount of money we're giving is a bit much, especially for narcotics control. That said, I think giving military aid to the Colombian government is a good idea, given the neighborhood.

[Jake]

It's a paltry sum when compared with funding for our operations in Iraq. Indeed, this sum could pay for maybe a day or less over there.

[MAS117]

As of right now I will support this bill.

[Ebowed]

The amount of money we're giving is a bit much, especially for narcotics control.

I agree, and I don't find the comparison to what we've spent on the Iraq war particularly relevant.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Shall I bring this to a vote or do either side want more time?

[MasterJedi]

Shall I bring this to a vote or do either side want more time?

I wouldn't mind if you did but I don't know about the others.

[Jake]

I'm going to need to watch the debates on this one, as I have no opinion on this whatsoever currently.

Anything specific you'd like to know?

[Platypus]

The Senate can write Foreign Policy based on previously passed acts Hugh and Colombia is at war with the FARC and so are we.

I believe that the analysis of the countries and our relationship with them should be left to the secretary. If there is precedent, perhaps it is time to start a new one of the Secretary having complete control over that process. I have no problem with the Senate dealing with foreign policy, obviously, but I think that role is best left to the Secretary.

Let's be honest-how much does FARC have to do with this? This bill, as stated in and of itself, is about assisting a 'bullwark' to Venezuala. We're not at war with Venezuala, I believe.

If this bill was more specifically aimed at FARC, I *might* support it. But I do not at the moment, and I strongly oppose repealing s3201, 3204a and 3207 of he 2001 Military Construction Appropriations Act; based on your description of them they are very important sections that were put in for a purpose, and that prupose still stands.

[The Dowager Mod]

This bill is no more than a backhanded swipe at Venezuelas government and as such is waste of $250,000,000 and my vote.

[CheeseWhiz]

Upon reviewing this again, I no longer support it.  Somehow, I missed that we’d be giving money to fight drugs.  But, before it loses my full support, is Hugo threatening violent action against Columbia?  Does he look like he might?

[Jake]

Hugo's support for the FARC militias is violent action. It would be comparable to the US supplying and supporting armed militias in Canada. Cheese Whiz, you're also missing the main point of this bill. It's not to ban drugs, but to eliminate them as a source of income for drug gangs and FARC. This bill does not seek to make cocaine any more illegal, only to end its negative effects on society.

Hugh: If you'd like, propose an amendment to eliminate Section 4. I will listen to the Secretary if he requests that the Senate not interfere with his foreign policy list.

Texasgurl: I'll leave you to go coddle more communist militias.

[Platypus]

I propose an amendment to remove the preamble and sections 3 and 4 of this bill.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Could you all please calm down?

I call a vote on the following amendment:

"The Preamble and Sections 3 and 4 are removed"

[Ebowed]

Yea

[DanielX]

abstain

[Platypus]

Aye

[MasterJedi]

Abstain