http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/2044387938

Plan Colombia drug reduction goals were not fully met, but security has improved ; U.S. agencies need more detailed plans for reducing assistance : report to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate

In September 1999, the government of Colombia announced a strategy, known as "Plan Colombia," to (1) reduce the production of illicit drugs (primarily cocaine) by 50 percent in 6 years and (2) improve security in Colombia by re-claiming control of areas held by illegal armed groups. Since fiscal year 2000, the United States has provided over $6 billion to support Plan Colombia. The Departments of State, Defense, and Justice and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) manage the assistance. GAO examined (1) the progress made toward Plan Colombia's drug reduction and enhanced security objectives, (2) the results of U.S. aid for the military and police, (3) the results of U.S. aid for non-military programs, and (4) the status of efforts to "nationalize" or transfer operations and funding responsibilities for U.S.-supported programs to Colombia. GAO recommends that State, in conjunction with the other departments, USAID, and Colombia, develop an integrated nationalization plan that defines U.S. and Colombian roles and responsibilities, future funding requirements, and timelines. We also recommend that USAID develop measures to better assess its alternative development program. In commenting on the recommendations, State said it will continue to improve coordination of nationalization efforts, and USAID/Colombia noted that it is working to identify new indicators to better measure progress.

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