	President Bush's Andean Regional Initiative Request for FY2002

In April 2001 budget submissions, President Bush requested $882.29 million in FY2002economic and counter-narcotics assistance for Colombia and regional neighbors in an initiativecalled the "Andean Regional Initiative," with $731 million of the counter-narcotics assistance calledthe "Andean Counterdrug Initiative." (6)
Critics of the Andean Regional Initiative argue that it is a continuation of what they regard as the misguided approach of Plan Colombia approved in 2000, with an overemphasis on military andcounter-drug assistance, and with inadequate support for human rights and the peace process inColombia. Supporters argue that the Andean RegionalInitiative continues needed assistance to Colombia when Plan Colombia assistance is just beginningto take effect, while providing more support for endangered regional neighbors and more assistancefor social and economic programs. Under final allocations for FY2002, Peru received $194.87 million, with $119.87million in economic and social programs, and $75 million in counter-narcotics aid. As passed bythe House, the bill provides $826 million for the ARI, of which $675 million is for the ACI, areduction of $56 million from the President's request. The Senate Appropriations Committee marked up its version of the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill on July 26, andreported out H.R. The Senate passed H.R. As passed by the Senate, the bill provides $698 for the ARI, of which $547 is for the ACI,a reduction of $184 million from the President's request, and includes conditions on the safety ofaerial fumigation and the implementation of alternative development programs..
Committee Action. 107-345 ) was passed by the House on December 19, and by theSenate on December 20, 2002. Itincludes $625 million for the "Andean Counterdrug Initiative" (ACI) portion of the Andean RegionalInitiative. The conference version of H.R. These include the following. Limitations on Personnel in Colombia. Foreign Relations Authorization, FY2002-FY2003

House Action. 1646 on May 4, 2001, with four reporting requirementson Colombia and a prohibition on the issuance of visas to illegal armed groups in Colombia. Reporting Requirement on the "Colombianization" of U.S. The Committee on Foreign Relations reported out S. 1401 on September 4, 2001, with a provision in section 606,similar to a provision in the House version of the bill, requiring the Secretary of State to submit toappropriate congressional committees within 60 days after enactment a report that outlines acomprehensive strategy to eradicate all opium at its source in Colombia. National Defense Authorization Act, FY2002

House Action. 2586 on August 1, 2001, and reported out the bill ( H.Rept.107-194 ) on September 4, 2001, with a provision containing a cap on U.S. military personnel inColombia, and this was retained when the House approved the bill on September 25, 2001. This House provision was not retained in theconference version of S. 1438 ( H.Rept. 107-333 ), which passed by both chambers onDecember 13, 2001. Extension of Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA)

House Action. On November 16, 2001, the House passed H.R. 3009 , the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, whichwould offer expanded trade benefits to the Andean region through December 31, 2006. On November 29, 2001, the Senate Committee on Finance reported out an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. February 2002.
In April and May 2001, the Bush Administration proposed $882.29 million in FY2002 economic and counter-narcotics assistance, as well as extension of trade preferences and othermeasures, for Colombia and regional neighbors in an initiative called the "Andean RegionalInitiative" (ARI).
Critics of the Andean Regional Initiative argue that it is a continuation of what they regard as the misguided approach of Plan Colombia assistance approved in 2000, with an overemphasis onmilitary and counter-drug assistance, and with inadequate support for human rights and the peaceprocess in Colombia. Supporters argue that it continues needed assistance to Colombia, whileproviding more support for regional neighbors and social and economic programs.
In action on the FY2002 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill ( H.R. 2506 ), the House passed the bill on July 24, 2001, with $826 million for the ARI, of which $675 million is forthe counter-narcotics "Andean Counterdrug Initiative" (ACI) portion, a reduction of $56 millionfrom the President's ACI request. The Senate passed the bill on October 24, 2001, with $698 millionfor the ARI, of which $547 million is for the ACI, a reduction of $184 million from the President'sACI request. The conference version of H.R. 2506 , as approved by the House onDecember 19, and the Senate on December 20, includes $625 million for the ACI, $106 million lessthan the President's ACI request, with $215 million earmarked for AID programs and a variety ofconditions, including an alteration of the cap on military and civilian contractors serving inColombia. In February 2002 budget submissions, the Bush Administration allocated $645 millionto the ACI account for FY2002, including $20 million transferred from the general InternationalNarcotics Control account.
In action on the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY2002-FY2003, the House passed H.R. 1646 on May 16, 2001, with four reporting requirements on activities in Colombiaand a prohibition on the issuance of visas to illegal armed groups in Colombia. The Senate ForeignRelations Committee reported out S. 1401 on September 4, 2001, with a requirementfor a report that outlines a comprehensive strategy to eradicate all opium cultivation at its source inColombia. No further action occurred on either of these bills in the first session of the 107thCongress.
In action on the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2002, the House passed H.R. 2586 on September 25, 2001, with a cap of 500 on the number of U.S. militarypersonnel in Colombia, with some exceptions. This provision was not retained in the conferenceversion of S. 1438 which was passed by both chambers on December 13, 2001.
In action on the Andean Trade Preference Act, on November 16, 2001, the House passed H.R. 3009 , the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, which wouldextend and expand the ATPA through December 31, 2006. The Senate Finance Committee reporteda more limited version, S. 525 , on November 29, 2001, in the context of otherlegislation.