Memorandum on Assistance to Colombia

Presidential Determination No. 97-31

Memorandum for the Secretary of State

Subject: Use of Section 614 to Provide Assistance to Colombia

Pursuant to the authority vested in me by section 614(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2364(a)(2) (the "Act"), I hereby determine that it is vital to the national security interests of the United States to make sales and extend credits to Colombia of up to $30 million in Foreign Military Financing under the Arms Export Control Act, without regard to any provision of the law within the scope of section 614. I hereby authorize such making of sales and extensions of credit, including the expenditure of previously obligated Foreign Military Financing funds needed to finance such sales.

Pursuant to the authority vested in me by section 614(a)(1) of the Act, 22 U.S.C. 2364(a)(1), I hereby determine that it is important to the security interests of the United States to furnish up to $600,000 in Fiscal Year 1997 funds under Chapter 5 of part II of the Act for Colombia, without regard to any provision of the law within the scope of section 614. I hereby authorize the furnishing of such assistance.

You are authorized and directed to report this determination to the Congress and to arrange for its publication in the Federal Register.

William J. Clinton