We must now step forward with the Government of Colombia by enhancing our current strategy, based on proven source-zone interdiction programs. This effort is responsive to Plan Colombia and consistent with current U.S. policy. The proposed fiscal year 2000 supplemental request will provide the resources necessary to promote essential facets of the Department's assistance to Colombian interdiction efforts. Air Interdiction Colombia requires aircraft that can track drug traffickers engaged in aerial smuggling. These radars will provide the Colombian Air Force with the organic ability to conduct terminal aerial intercepts of drug smugglers.
Aerial intercepts are intricate operations and require adequate ground-based coordination.
Therefore, the supplemental will also fund the upgrade of the Colombian Air Force radar command and control center as well, as additional ground-based radars to assist in detecting and sorting aircraft operating in eastern Colombia. Critical to this air interdiction effort are supplemental initiatives, under State Department authority, that will upgrade Colombian Air Force counter-drug aircraft for the air intercept mission. The supplemental also requests funding for U.S. Customs Service airborne early warning aircraft upgrades to ensure that these crucial platforms will continue to be available for the source-zone interdiction mission. The supplemental funding focuses extensive resources on improving Colombia's counter-drug ground interdiction programs. The Department has completed training of a counter-drug battalion that is now operational in the Putumayo region.