Toward Greater Peace and Security in Columbia: Forging a Constructive U.S. Policy: Report of an Independent Task Force

by Bob Graham, Michael Shifter, Brent Scowcroft

This report proposes where U.S. policy toward Colombia is misguided, and explains how security assistance aimed at reducing drug production and trafficking is only one piece of a broader effort needed to extend legitimate authority in the country. The independent task force, brought together by the Council on Foreign Relations and the Inter-American Dialogue, argues that an effective package must go beyond the current emphasis on fighting drugs, and have the main emphasis on helping the Colombian government strengthen its capacity to protect citizens and effectively exercise control and authority over its territory. Addressing the Clinton administrations request for emergency supplemental appropriation, the report emphasizes that the bill is an essential first step, but urges that policymakers additionally continue working with the Colombians on a sensible plan to help reform and professionalize the countrys security forces; give higher priority to support Colombias efforts to remedy social, economic, and institutional problems; and mobilize multilateral efforts to assist Colombia.

Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Daniel Robert "Bob" Graham (born November 9, 1936) is an American politician and author. He was the 38th Governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987 and a United States Senator from that state from 1987 to 2005.

Graham tried unsuccessfully to run for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, but dropped out of the race on October 6, 2003. He announced his retirement from the Senate on November 3 of that year.

Graham is now concentrating his efforts on the newly established Bob Graham Center for Public Service at his undergraduate alma mater, the University of Florida. He served as Chairman of the Commission on the Prevention of WMD proliferation and terrorism. Through the WMD policy center he advocates for the recommendations in the Commission report, World at Risk.

Graham also served as co-chair of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling and a member of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission and the CIA External Advisory Board.

In 2011, Graham published his first novel, the thriller The Keys to the Kingdom. Graham has written three non-fiction books. Workdays-Finding Florida on the Job; Intelligence Matters and America: The Owners Manual.

Source: Wikipedia.