U.S. MAY EXPAND ANTI-DRUG WAR BEYOND COLOMBIA

WASHINGTON -- Even as its $1.3 billion anti-drug program for Colombia is
off to a sputtering start, the United States is making plans to expand its
aid and cooperation to combat a ``spillover effect'' of drug trafficking
and guerrilla activities in neighboring Latin American countries, Clinton
administration officials say.

Consideration of the broader approach comes as neighboring countries, which
are already feeling the effects of Colombia's war, voice rising concern
that the aid plan will only inflame the conflict further and spread
instability throughout the region as American helicopters and
American-trained counter-narcotics battalions deploy in coming months.

Increased Investment

If pursued by the next administration, the broader plan would greatly
increase Washington's investment in nations from Panama to Peru, most of
which are struggling with political or economic turmoil and are seen as
vulnerable to the organized crime, paramilitary groups and drug-financed
rebels that currently rattle Colombia.

Consultations with Colombia's neighbors are still in the early phases,
officials say, and there are few specific commitments so far to provide
aid, training or equipment. But Latin American diplomats said they expect
the American aid in coming years to dwarf the $180 million in regional help
approved by Congress this year; Ecuador alone is seeking $400 million over
four years.

Clinton administration officials say they are merely extending their
approach to reflect the reality that the effort in Colombia cannot succeed
without regional support. ``I think this is evolving now into not just a
pure Colombia issue, but an Andean regional issue, something it has always
been,'' said Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering.

The administration felt compelled to focus on Colombia -- and make it the
third-largest recipient of American foreign aid behind Israel and Egypt --
because it was ``in such startling difficulty,'' Pickering said.

But he added, ``I think in future years there will be a broader regional
aspect to this as we plan and propose to the Congress new budgets for this
kind of activity.''

Whether Congress will sustain a regional approach is not clear. Republican
leaders have been vigorous in their support for what is called Plan
Colombia and have repeatedly pressed the administration to free up funds
and equipment.

So far Congress has cast the effort narrowly as a fight against drugs, even
as some members warn that U.S. troops could be drawn into combat with
anti-government guerrillas who have alliances with the narcotics traffickers.

During the presidential campaign, both Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice
President Al Gore expressed support for Plan Colombia.

Resistance From Neighbors

But even given the prospect of greater aid, several of Colombia's neighbors
are resisting an American approach that they say relies too heavily on the
military and could involve them in war.

``We feel the Plan Colombia is for Colombia,'' said Guillermo Ford,
Panama's ambassador to the United States, whose territory has been used for
incursions by Colombian guerrillas and right-wing paramilitary forces.
``Panama does not want to get involved in the internal problems of Colombia.''

President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, a former army colonel, has been
especially outspoken against the American strategy. He ruffled Colombia
last month when his government allowed a spokeswoman for Colombia's largest
rebel group to denounce Plan Colombia on the floor of its National Assembly.

Officials across the region are eager, however, for American aid, credits
and trade advantages. Even if these countries suspect that Washington is
trying to buy their support for a plan with which they do not fully agree,
officials cite the compelling need to help underdeveloped parts of their
countries susceptible to drug traffickers and guerrillas and to provide
sources of income other than the narcotics trade for poor peasants.