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Sample Letter to Congress
Regarding Funding to Colombia

The Honorable (full name)
US House of Representatives ~ Washington, DC 20515 /
US Senate ~ Washington DC 20510

Dear Representative or Senator ___________,

    As you are aware, the human rights conditions and military violence in Colombia continues to worsen at an extremely alarming rate. I am writing to urge you to support amendments that cut aid to the notorious Colombian military.  While the U.S. has allocated over $2 billion to Colombia over the past few years, well documented reports by human rights organizations provide detailed evidence about  indisputable ties between the Colombian army, police, and paramilitary.  Because the United States currently provides millions of dollars in "aid" to these military forces, it is imparative that the human rights conditions remain a priority.  Ongoing violations must result in a moratorium on aid directed to the Colombian military.  In early 2002, the CIA reported that coca production was up by 25%.  This is a failed progam at best, at worst, it is causing immense ecological and health problems.  The aid should instead go to support the peace process, as well as aiding the over 3 million refugees internally displaced in Colombia. 
      Colombia must show tangible results in breaking the ties between security forces and paramilitary groups.  The Leahy Provision states that security forces with whom there is credible evidence of human rights violations (and involvement with paramilitaries) must be disqualified of U.S. assistance.  To satisfy the Leahy Provision, individuals must face an investigation and possible prosecution in civilian courts, thus ensuring that impunity no longer exists for human rights abusers.  I urge you to support the consistent monitoring and strict enforcement of this provision as well as supporting Senator Leahy's ammendments which call for a moratorium on deadly chemical fumigations while instituting alternate subsistance-based community economic development programs.
    I am deeply concerned about the threat that illegal drugs pose to our communities. However, the fumigations have not only been ineffective in killing the coca, but they are having an egregious ecological effect in the region.  The deadly toxins used in the fumigations are not only being sprayed on the coca crops, but they are also indiscrimately spraying food crops, and destroying plant and animal species throughout this delicate amazon region.  In addition, medicinal plants, and waterways have been destroyed, while serious health problems have arisen in the population. Health studies must be implementated, as well as a compensation for farmers who have lost food crops as a result of the fumigations. 
    I believe that the policy embarked upon by the United States could have disastrous consequences for decades to come. The policy's focus on military force and aerial fumigation will escalate the armed conflict, continue to degrade the environment, and increase forced displacement of people.  The consequences will undermine efforts for peace, which is the only lasting solution to Colombia's conflict. 
    This policy will do little to reduce the flow of illicit drugs into the United States.  Over the last decade, the United States has spent over $25 billion in international drug control efforts. These efforts have at times temporarily succeeded in curbing production in a particular country, but have failed to stop the tide of drugs. Diminished coca production in Bolivia and Peru, for example, resulted in dramatic increases in Colombia. Drugs remain cheap and plentiful within the United States.
    Current counter-narcotics assistance can undermine democracy and the rule of law.  They often strengthen the source country's military role in internal policing and undercuts respect for civil liberties and human rights. In Colombia, this policy has associated the United States with an army closely tied to terrorist paramilitary forces who are responsible for horrific acts of violence against the civilian population.
        The Colombia and Andean region need and deserve the support of the international community in confronting their myriad challenges, which include not only drug production and trafficking, but also fragile democratic institutions and profound economic inequality.  Rather than escalate the failed policies of the past, we ask the U.S. to work with Andean governments to develop realistic proposals in consultation with local governments and civil society to curb drug production. Through manual eradication, illegal crops must be replaced with adequately funded, community-based, economic alternatives.  Equal weight must be given to strengthening democratic and judicial institutions and promoting a negotiated solution to Latin America's longest running conflict. 
    The Colombian aid package has not lead to a decline in drug use or addiction in the U.S., nor has it lead to a substantial decline in drug cultivation in Colombia.  Our national and international drug control strategy is not working, and the answer is not to continue this failed approach.  Repressive militarization and toxic fummigations will not  stop drug consumption.  As long as the demand exists, there will unfortunately be a supply.  Our efforts must turn towards treatment, education and rehabilitation.  Now is the time to work together for a new, effective and compassionate solution. 

Sincerely Yours,

(provide your name & address)