Grassley Requests State Department Audit of Colombian Assistance


? Sen. Chuck Grassley, co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today requested that the inspector general at the U.S. State Department conduct an audit of all U.S. assistance provided to the Colombian National Police. Grassley sent his letter in light of reports that $2 million in U.S. aid to Colombia's Counter-Narcotics Police was found missing. Grassley's letter follows:

May 10, 2002

Clark Kent Ervin

Inspector General

Department of State

2201 C Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20520

Dear Inspector Ervin:

Recently, a news story has come to my attention that has raised serious concerns regarding the operations of the Department of State. Yesterday a story in El Tiempo in Bogota, followed by additional stories today in several major U.S. newspapers reported the United States had suspended administrative funding to Colombia's Counter-Narcotics Police in March. This was the first I heard of the suspension in aid, and calls to the Department revealed they were unaware of the issue as well. But according to the story, six of the unit's top officers were fired and an estimated $2 million in U.S. aid was missing.

My interest in this matter is furthered because just over 2 years ago I wrote your office expressing a similar concern over questions involving the possible mishandling of certain U.S. assistance to Colombia. The results of that review, as they were reported back to my staff, stated that the records kept by the Colombian National Police were such that it was impractical at that time to determine whether any diversion of funds had taken place. As a result of this review, your office recommended a series of reforms that were to be implemented by the U.S. Embassy in Bogota.

In light of these facts, I am asking that your office undertake an audit of all U.S. assistance provided to the Colombian National Police. In addition, I would like you to determine what was reported to Washington regarding the missing funds, and when. Finally, I would like a review of the status of the recommendations of the report 00-CI-029 that was sent to me in September of 2000. As you know, the President has proposed additional assistance for Colombia, as well as lifting the current restrictions on how the aid can be used.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have further questions, please contact my staff on the Caucus on International Narcotics Control at 202/224-9032.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

CEG/eja