Andean Regional Initiative (ARI): FY 2003 Supplemental and FY 2004 Assistance for Colombia and Neighbors

Publication Date: August 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Economics; Social conditions

Type:

Coverage: Colombia

Abstract:

In 2003, Congress is considering President Bush's requests for FY2004 and FY2003 supplemental assistance for Colombia and six regional neighbors in a continuation of the Andean Regional Initiative (ARI) launched in 2001. ARI was proposed as an expansion of Plan Colombia, developed by the Clinton Administration, with more funding for social and economic development programs for Colombia and its neighbors, who are affected by Colombia's struggle against guerrillas and drug traffickers. From FY2000 through FY2003, Colombia and other ARI recipients have received more than $3 billion in U.S. funding.

In early 2003, an FY2003 Emergency Wartime Supplemental bill (H.Rept. 10876/P.L. 108-11) provided $105 million in additional assistance for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative and related programs. This included $34 million for the State Department's International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account, $34 million for the Department of Defense's Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities account, and $37.1 million in Foreign Military Financing Program funds.

The President submitted his FY2004 budget request to Congress on February 3, 2003, including $990.7 million for countries comprising the Andean Regional Initiative, including military funding for Colombia. Of the $990.7 million requested, $731 million is for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative, $133.5 million for the Foreign Military Financing Program, with the remainder of the overall figure in development, economic, and health programs.

The House passed H.R. 2800, (H.Rept. 108-222) the FY2004 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, on July 23, 2003. It fully funded the President's request for $731 million for ACI. The Senate Appropriations Committee reported out S. 1426 (S.Rept.108-106) on July 17, providing $660 million for ACI, with authority to transfer an additional $37 million from the State Department's International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) account to ACI.

In other legislative action, both the House and Senate passed the FY2003FY2004 Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 1950/S. 925), with provisions relating to Colombia and drug interdiction programs in the Andean region. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee reported out the FY2004 Foreign Assistance Authorization Act (S. 1161/S.Rept.108-56) with several modifications on assistance to Colombia and the Andean region. Both the House and Senate have passed the FY2004 National Defense Authorization Act, (H.R. 1588/S. 1047) providing authorization for drug interdiction and counterdrug activities for DOD programs. The House version increases the cap on the number of U.S. military personnel in Colombia from 400 to 500, with certain limitations. The House passed H.R. 2417, the FY2004 Intelligence Authorization Act (H.Rept. 108-163) authorizing continuing counterdrug and counterterrorism activities. The Senate Intelligence Committee reported out S. 1025 in May 2003 with similar provisions. This report will be updated.