DATE=4/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / COLOMBIA PLOT (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261191
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

            /// See also 2-261186 ///

INTRO:  The head of U-S drug control operations says 
Colombian paramilitary groups are plotting to 
assassinate Colombia's President Andres Pastrana in 
retaliation for the government's crackdown on their 
activities.  Mr. Pastrana - visiting Washington 
Tuesday - is playing down the alleged plots.  
Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White 
House.

TEXT:   The U-S Drug Czar, Retired General Barry 
Mcaffrey, speaking to reporters after a meeting with 
Mr. Pastrana at the White House, said right-wing 
paramilitaries in Colombia may be - in his words - 
`the most vicious and violent' in that country today.

He says these groups are battling Colombian rebels in 
a fight over controlling proceeds from drug 
trafficking.  He says paramilitary forces have 
threatened Mr. Pastrana with death in response to a 
recent crackdown on their activities.

            /// MCAFFREY ACTUALITY ///

      The Colombian armed forces and police committed 
      themselves to going after these groups.  They 
      have arrested or killed many of them in recent 
      weeks.  The paramilitary forces have responded 
      with an assassination plot to kill President 
      Pastrana.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Pastrana, speaking later at a news conference with 
U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, said he has 
no evidence about such an alleged plot.

            /// PASTRANA ACTUALITY ///

      At this moment, we do not have any information.  
      As you remember some months ago there was a plan 
      to kill us, but we do not at this moment have 
      any information regarding a criminal attempt by 
      the paramilitaries to kill the president of 
      Colombia.

            /// END ACT ///

But Mr. Pastrana acknowledges that paramilitary groups 
are a problem in Colombia, and he appealed to the U-S 
Congress to approve one-point-six billion dollars in 
anti-drug assistance for his country - a package that 
he said would help his government fight paramilitaries 
and rebel groups involved in the drug trade.  (Signed)

NEB/DAT/ENE/gm



11-Apr-2000 17:25 PM EDT (11-Apr-2000 2125 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.