Memorandum for the Secretary of State [and] the Secretary of Defense

President Bush certifies that Colombia meets statutory requirements to continue receiving U.S. assistance for aerial drug interdiction, including the authority to intercept aircraft suspected of illicit drug trafficking. The determination requires Colombia to maintain procedures protecting against innocent loss of life, including warning protocols before use of force.

Federal Register Open PDF 73 FR 54283

Impact dates

Date TBD
Publication in Federal Register and congressional notification

Key directives

Certify Colombia meets requirements for aerial drug interdiction assistance
Secretary of State shall publish determination in Federal Register
Secretary of State shall notify Congress of this determination

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Certification takes effect upon signing
Secretary of State directed to publish in Federal Register and notify Congress

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Continued U.S. drug interdiction assistance to Colombia for fiscal year 1995 program

Risks & tensions

Use of force against aircraft raises ongoing human rights and collateral damage concerns
Statutory requirement for warning procedures before use of force reflects past incidents
Certification relies on self-reported Colombian procedures without specified verification mechanism