06 December 2001

Text: House Speaker Hastert Meets With Bolivian President

Illinois Republican Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, met with Bolivian President Jorge Quiroga Ramirez on December 6 to discuss Bolivia's successful counter-drug strategy and the need for a wider application of the trade-benefits legislation known as the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), according to a press statement issued by Hastert's office later that day.

"Bolivia is the shining success story in the Andean region's counter-narcotics effort," Hastert declared. This is especially significant in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks against New York and Washington, he suggested, because "the link between terrorism and illegal drugs is undeniable."

Hastert said that "Congress needs to continue to support" President Bush's Andean Regional Initiative and must also "pass an expanded version of the Andean Trade Preference Act to ensure economic stability as a way to help combat the narco-terrorists in the region."

Following is the text of Hastert's statement:

(begin text)

Speaker Hastert Meets With Bolivian President

Washington, D.C. -- House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) released the following statement after meeting with Bolivian President Jorge Quiroga Ramirez:

"We welcome President Quiroga to the U.S. Capitol. Bolivia is the shining success story of the Andean region's counter-narcotics effort. Not too long ago, Bolivia was the second-largest producer of cocaine in the world -- now it is virtually coca-free.

"We now know that the link between terrorism and illegal drugs is undeniable. This link exists not only in Afghanistan, but in our own hemisphere. The profits from illegal drug sales are the financial engines that fuel terror worldwide.

"But now, galvanized as never before by the terrorists attacks, we have an opportunity to wage a new, more effective war against drugs: one that balances demand reduction efforts such as education, prevention and effective treatment here at home, with eradication, interdiction, law enforcement, investigation and effective prosecution both here and abroad.

"Despite being the poorest country in South America, Bolivia stands as an excellent example of how much can be achieved in a relatively short time. Under the ambitious 'Dignity Plan,' Bolivia has eliminated an estimated 38,000 hectares of coca leaf over the past four years. These bold efforts, supported by the United States and carried out by Bolivians, have prevented over 250 metric tons of cocaine from reaching our shores and our neighborhoods.

"Now, we must stand together in our global fight against narco-terrorism. Legislatively, Congress needs to continue to support the President's Andean Regional Initiative (ARI) contained in the fiscal year 2002 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill. And the Congress must pass an expanded version of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) to ensure economic stability as a way to help combat the narco-terrorists in the region.

"We are on the verge of stamping out illegal coca leaf production once and for all in Bolivia. Together, we must now finish the job and ensure that Bolivia doesn't slip back into cocaine production -- for the sake of our children and the children around the world."

(end text)