national security.įollowing is the text of Hill's remarks, as prepared for delivery: Hill indicated that while the world's attention is drawn to the situation in Iraq and the Middle East, "we must keep in mind that we live in this hemisphere, and its continued progress as a region of democracy and prosperity is paramount" to U.S. While optimistic about Colombia, Hill said the country is at a "critical point" where the progress in eliminating conflict, reducing tensions, and establishing democracy throughout the Andes could be at risk "if we are not steadfast in our efforts." Thus, across the Andean region, the United States is working with Colombia's neighbors to increase cooperation and coordination against narco-traffickers, and to fortify borders and strengthen capabilities, said Hill. Some of Colombia's neighbors, Hill said, lack the resources to maintain territorial sovereignty in ungoverned spaces. Already, he said, the illegal armed groups operating in Colombia are infiltrating the "porous borders" of Colombia's neighbors, because the remote nature of many of these areas makes them ever more attractive as safe-havens. Hill described Colombia as the "linchpin" in the regional struggle against narco-terrorists, but noted that "we must be careful not to win the battle in Colombia and lose the war" in the Andes.Īs the Colombians make progress in the drug war, said Hill, their success will push narco-terrorists to seek safer areas in which to operate. Hill said that "we are seeing the pendulum swing" in Colombia, and pledged that the United States would continue its planned training and support for that country. The commander said Colombia is fighting its illegal armed groups "justly, in accordance with democratic values and human rights, and that unlike its enemies, is not resorting to rural concentration camps, peasant roundups, massacres, disappearances," and other brutal tactics. Hill said Southcom has supported Colombian efforts to extend human rights training through the Colombian armed forces. Hill warned, however, that the "momentum" Uribe has built and the progress Colombia has shown is "reversible."Ĭonsequently, said Hill, the United States "must maintain our steady, patient support in order to reinforce the successes we have seen and to guarantee a tangible return on the significant investment our country has made to our democratic neighbor."
The Southcom commander said Uribe is "inculcating" his government and armed forces "with an aggressive spirit and belief they can win the war against the narco-terrorists and end the violence" that has plagued the country for the last 40 years. Hill singled out for praise Colombia's president, Alvaro Uribe, as a man of "vision, principle, and substance."
In his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Hill said Colombia is at a "decisive point" in its fight to overcome narco-terrorists who seek to seek to destabilize and overthrow the national government. Hill, says he is "guardedly optimistic" that Colombia's government will be able to establish security and stability in the Andean nation.ĭuring an October 29 congressional hearing about Southcom's efforts to help Colombia, Hill said he has been to that country 17 times over the past year and is able to see "significant progress" being made. Southern Command (Southcom), General James T. James Hill sees progress being made in Andean nation 30 October 2003 Southcom Chief Optimistic About Situation in Colombia
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