The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President-.

We are deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating political, economic, and
security situation in Colombia. The expansion of the FARC insurgency and the erosion
of the Colombian economy are now directly threatening democracy in Colombia, a
development which, if unchecked, will have severe implications for the United States of
America. We believe that now is the time for the Administration to reach out to the Congress and die American people to develop a comprehensive plan to respond to this emergency situation in this strategically important democracy located just hours from our borders.

We would like to hear from you and your senior advisors now on immediate steps that can be taken to regain a secure and stable environment in Colombia's cities and countryside, restore investor confidence in the economy both in Colombia and internationally replenish our constrained efforts to eliminate Colombia's huge cocaine and heroin production zones.

Measures that merit urgent and serious consideration by both of our branches of government include the following: 1) enhancement of regional counterdrug intelligence programs and capabilities; 2) significant upgrades in training and equipment for Colombia’s police and military counterdrug operations; 3) intensification of heroin and cocaine eradication efforts, including the early deployment of mycoherbicides in FARC and ELN controlled zones; 4) enhancements to the Colombian component of the regional airbridge interdiction program; 5) acquisition of at least one secure airfield in or in or near Colombia to replace the loss of Howard Air Force Base in Panama.

As we are sure you recognize, the collapse of democracy in Colombia and the emergence of a narco-,state south of out holder would be an extremely serious threat to our national security. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,                      

J. Dennis Hastert & Trent Lott