Statements Index >>

September 9, 2003

Dear Senator,

I am writing on behalf of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) whose members are the leadership of the Catholic men’s religious communities in the United States representing the 20,000 brothers and religious priests in the United States. The Conference has adopted a resolution supporting our colleagues and the people of Colombia. Our leaders are greatly concerned about the shift in U.S. policy toward Colombia which has expanded U.S. military action and support and has weakened our commitment to human rights. Recently Brother Matt Wade, SM, the Associate Director of CMSM, visited Colombia to see first hand some of the impact these changes in policy have had and to speak with our colleagues about the reality of their situation. I am writing now to urge you to pay particular attention to how the aid earmarked for Colombia in the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (S. 1426) will further impact the deteriorating situation there.

When the Senate passed “Plan Colombia” in 2000, the stated goal was to curb drug production. However since then, aid to Colombia has shifted to allow U.S. funds to be used for counter-insurgency efforts, U.S. military presence has increased, and Congress has lifted the human rights conditions that had been placed on U.S. aid to Colombia. U.S. taxpayers have now provided more than $2.5 billion in aid to Colombia which has allowed the civil war to escalate, more innocent civilians to be brutally murdered, and supported land fumigation which has destroyed lives and the environment.

The Conference believes that there are positive ways for the U.S. to assist Colombia. On behalf of our members, I would like to urge you to consider alternatives to military aid when discussing U.S. aid to Colombia. Our colleagues in Colombia have suggested alternative development programs that help farmers struggling to grow legal crops as one positive use of our aid. We should also return to a policy that requires the Colombian government to document its progress in protecting and promoting human rights as a condition for release of any aid.

Given the deterioration of the situation in Colombia since U.S. funding has shifted, a new discussion about our policy needs to take place before that funding is approved for FY 2004. I urge you to speak out strongly for a new U.S. policy toward Colombia when S. 1426 is brought before the Senate.

If Brother Wade or I can be of any assistance to you or provide you or your staff with additional information about Colombia, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Stan De Boe, OSST
Director
Office of Justice and Peace

Statements Index >>