Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) and Related Funding Programs: FY2006 Assistance

Download or read book Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) and Related Funding Programs: FY2006 Assistance written by and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 29 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 2005, Congress considered a number of issues relating to the Andean region and drug trafficking, including continued funding for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) and conditions on U.S. assistance. In addition to ACI, Andean countries benefit from Foreign Military Financing (FMF), International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds, and other types of economic aid. Congress continues to express concern with the volume of drugs readily available in the United States and elsewhere in the world. The three largest producers of cocaine are Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru. Ninety percent of the cocaine in the United States originates in, or passes through, Colombia. The United States has made a significant commitment of funds and material support to help Colombia and the Andean region fight drug trafficking since the development of Plan Colombia in 1999. From FY2000 through FY2005, the United States has provided a total of about $5.4 billion for the region in both State Department and Defense Department counternarcotics funds. The United States also provides funding for Development Assistance (DA), Child Survival and Health (CSH), and Economic Support Funds (ESF) to some countries in the region. Since 2002, Congress has granted expanded authority to use counternarcotics funds for a unified campaign to fight both drug trafficking and terrorist organizations in Colombia. Three illegally an%armed groups in Colombia participate in drug production and trafficking, and have been designated foreign terrorist organizations by the State Department. In 2004, Congress also increased the level of U.S. military and civilian contractor personnel allowed to be deployed in Colombia, in response to an Administration request. For FY2006, Congress approved the Administration's request for $734.5 million for ACI in the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act (H.P. 305 7/P.L. 109-102).