DATE=4/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SENATE-COLOMBIA AID (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261230
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 


INTRO: The U-S Senate majority leader says Colombia 
could receive American anti-drug aid next month or in 
June.  V-O-A's David Swan reports Colombian President 
Andres Pastrana visited Capitol Hill today (Wednesday) 
to push for the money.

TEXT: Republican leader Trent Lott has stopped the 
Senate from taking up the emergency spending bill that 
includes one-point-six billion dollars for Colombia.  
However, his objections are not based on the aid plan 
itself, but on the cost of the larger spending 
package, which also covers disaster relief and 
peacekeeping operations in (the Yugoslav province of) 
Kosovo.

After meeting with President Pastrana, Mr. Lott 
stressed he supports the anti-drug request and will 
bring it to a vote as soon as possible.

            /// FIRST LOTT ACT ///

      But I feel very strongly that it will be 
      completed in May or in early June.  There's no 
      reason why it should not, and I expect it will 
      be achieved and (the money) would be available 
      in this fiscal year.

            /// END ACT ///

The House of Representatives has already approved the 
funds.  The administration and its Democratic allies 
are pressing hard for the Senate to follow suit.  Mr. 
Lott says Colombia's money will have to be attached to 
some other bill, but should eventually pass.

            /// SECOND LOTT ACT ///

      And it'll be hopefully the most effective 
      package in providing President Pastrana and the 
      people in Colombia to move toward peace and 
      freedom and controlling the drug problem that is 
      coming out of certain sections of the country.

            /// END ACT ///

For his part, Mr. Pastrana is trying to ease concerns 
that the American armed forces may be dragged into his 
country's drug wars.  In a Washington speech he 
rejected suggestions that the U-S commitment could 
produce another Vietnam conflict.  Mr. Pastrana says 
public opinion in both countries would never permit 
such a move, and as long as he is president it will 
not happen. (Signed)

Neb/ds/gm




12-Apr-2000 12:57 PM EDT (12-Apr-2000 1657 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.