23 March 2002

U.S. Outlines Assistance to Andean Region Nations

U.S. aid to Andean region focuses on democracy, stability, development

The White House issued a fact sheet on March 23, outlining U.S. assistance to the countries of the Andean region under the terms of the Andean Regional Initiative (ARI). The ARI is designed to promote democracy, regional stability and economic development throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Following is the text of the fact sheet:

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
(Lima, Peru)

March 23, 2002

Fact Sheet: Andean Regional Initiative

Under President Bush's leadership, $782 million in assistance has been approved for the Andean region in fiscal year 2002. The Andean Regional Initiative (ARI) advances the president's goal of strengthening democracy, regional stability and economic development throughout the hemisphere.

Intertwined Problems: The Andes produce virtually all of the world's cocaine and an increasing amount of heroin. Governments in the region seek to combat drug production and trafficking while strengthening democratic institutions, improving their ability to deliver service to their people, creating a more transparent and efficient judicial system, protecting human rights, reducing corruption, and increasing legal employment opportunities. The ARI addresses these multi-faceted challenges.

Comprehensive, Balanced Approach:

• The ARI sustains support for Colombia, the leading source of drug production and violence, while enhancing support to Colombia's neighbors to fortify their efforts to pre-empt "spillover" from the Colombian conflict.

• The ARI contains major increases in assistance to help Bolivia and Peru guard against a resurgence in coca cultivation through interdiction and alternative development programs, and gives a boost to Ecuador's efforts to gain greater control of its northern border region.

• Assistance to Venezuela, Panama, and Brazil focuses on border controls, economic development, judicial improvements and counternarcotics assistance.

• The ARI provides a balance between law enforcement and security programs, and social and economic development. Alternative development, judicial reform, and economic growth projects are important components of this package.

In Millions of Dollars:

Country: BOLIVIA
Counternarcotics and Security: $48,000
Economic and Social Development: $74,463
Total: $122,463

Country: BRAZIL
Counternarcotics and Security: $6,000
Economic and Social Development: $12,630
Total: $18,630

Country: COLOMBIA
Counternarcotics and Security: $243,500
Economic and Social Development: $137,000
Total: $380,500

Country: ECUADOR
Counternarcotics and Security: $15,000
Economic and Social Development: $31,855
Total: $46,855

Country: PANAMA
Counternarcotics and Security: $5,000
Economic and Social Development: $8,500
Total: $13,500

Country: PERU
Counternarcotics and Security: $75,000
Economic and Social Development: $119,873
Total: $194,873

Country: VENEZUELA
Counternarcotics and Security: $5,000
Economic and Social Development: $0.500
Total: $5,500

Counternarcotics and Security Total (in millions of dollars): $397,500
Economic and Social Development Total (in millions of dollars): $384,821
Overall Total (in millions of dollars): $782,321

end fact sheet