DATE=6/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SENATE-FOREIGN AID (L)
NUMBER=2-263672
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A long-delayed package of U-S aid may soon be 
en route to Colombia to help that country battle the 
narcotic trade.  The Senate has approved the plan 
(Thursday) as part of a larger foreign aid bill.     
V-O-A's David Swan has details.


TEXT:  The foreign assistance measure, with Colombia's 
money attached, passed by an overwhelming (95 to four) 
bipartisan vote.  While it now includes 934-million 
dollars for Bogota, Republicans have agreed to boost 
the total to one-point-three billion in a compromise 
with the House of Representatives.  

House and Senate leaders hope to settle their 
remaining differences fast - so the aid to Colombia, 
which was held up for months, could reach President 
Clinton's desk as soon as next week.

The funds would go for helicopters, training and other 
support for Colombia's armed forces and police.  
Critics fear the United States is being drawn into a 
violent, never-ending conflict and is subsidizing an 
army with a dismal human rights record.  Republican 
Senator Paul Coverdell, who strongly supports the aid, 
acknowledged the fight against the traffickers will 
not be easy.   

            // Coverdell act //

      I think those that expressed concerns had valid 
      arguments to make.  This is a precarious work, a 
      very hostile and a very adversarial environment.  
      An evil enemy.  And there are going to be 
      imperfections as we move forward.


            // end act //

Still, the plan is recieving strong support in the 
Clinton administration and the Republican-led 
Congress.  Mr. Coverdell notes the amount of money 
bound for Colombia makes it the third largest 
recipient of U-S aid, behind Israel and Egypt.

The Senate foreign assistance bill would give Israel 
two-point-eight billion dollars in the next fiscal 
year, with Egypt recieving two-billion.  Russia's aid 
would depend on whether Moscow cooperates in 
investigating war crimes and providing relief to 
Chechyna.  The overall foreign aid package totals 13-
point-four billion dollars, one-point-seven billion 
less than the president asked. (Signed)


NEB/DS/PT     



 



22-Jun-2000 17:44 PM EDT (22-Jun-2000 2144 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.