Index

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) NNNN Source: Voice of America .