Speech #1100068553

And on that last point. it is not insignificant that there has been substantial progress. according to our own State Department and USTR office. of the drug eradication efforts and partnership that we have established with these four Andean nations. They have also met the criteria. again. through reference of our own State Department. but ATPA is perhaps the single most effective alternative development program we have going in the region. By providing these local citizens with longterm alternatives to narcotics trafficking and illegal immigration. ATPA has helped the governments. especially in Colombia and Peru. to isolate violent extremist groups. to revise their economies. and increase their investments in their education. health care. and infrastructure system. And I submit that if we are not trying to actively engage these nations to help them build their economy and expand economic opportunities. they are going to come to the United States to realize those opportunities that they are not receiving in their own countries.