Text: Sheehan Testimony on Drugs, Crime and Terrorism Page 1 of 8

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF SIAT£

INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAMS

GlobaLIssues | Narcotics

13 December 2000

Text: Sheehan Testimony on Drugs, Crime and Terrorism

Cites drugs, terrorism connections in Colombia and Afghanistan

There has been an "overall decrease of state financial support" for terrorism in the last two
decades, which means that terrorists "have looked to alternative sources of funding,"
including organized crime as well as narcotics production and trafficking, says the State
Department's coordinator for counterterrorism.

Michael Sheehan told a House Judiciary subcommittee December 13 that "Some terrorists
have developed loose mutually beneficial relationships with drug traffickers to support both
the terrorists and drug traffickers' interests." He cited in particular the cases of Colombia
and Afghanistan.

"We have seen evidence," he said, that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC), "one of the world's deadliest terrorist organizations...is now involved in the export
of cocaine," and that FARC guerrillas supplied cocaine to the Mexican drug cartel "in
exchange for cash and possibly weapons." The FARC and the National Liberation Army
(ELN) "also generate income by kidnapping Colombians and foreigners," he said.

To deal with the Colombia problem, Sheehan said the State Department supports Plan
Columbia ~ a large-scale program designed by the administration that includes economic
assistance and the aerial eradication of drugs — as "a balanced strategy" to deal with the
country's multiple problems.

In Afghanistan, Sheehan said, the Taliban's control over most of theCcountry "has resulted
in a haven of lawlessness, in which terrorists, drug traffickers and other criminals live with
impunity."

He urged passage of a new resolution being considered this week by the U.N. Security
Council that would impose an arms embargo against the Taliban and "reiterates the demand
that the Taliban turn over Usama bin Ladin," who was indicted for masterminding the
attack on U.S. embassies in East Africa in 1998, "so he can be brought to justice."

"There are no magic solutions" in the effort to counter terrorist fund raising, he said. "We
have to keep up the diplomatic and political pressure, bolster our allies' will and capability
to help, and maintain strong diplomatic, intelligence, law enforcement and training
components."

Following is the text of Sheehan's prepared testimony before the House Judiciary
Subcommittee on Crime:

(begin text)

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