COLOMBIA DRUG WAR AN ISSUE AT UPCOMING BUSH MEETING

CHARLESTON, West Virginia (Reuters) -- U.S. President George W. Bush's
meeting this month with Colombian President Andres Pastrana is aimed at
expressing support for Pastrana's "Plan Colombia" war against drug lords
and guerrillas, the White House said on Wednesday.

"The visit is an opportunity for the president (Bush) and President
Pastrana to discuss the situation in Colombia and progress in implementing
Plan Colombia," the White House said in its formal announcement of the
meeting, set for February 27.

Colombian Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto announced the
meeting on Tuesday, after talks in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State
Colin Powell.

Washington decided in 2000 to spend $1.3 billion over two years to back
Plan Colombia, which calls for a military push against drug plantations
protected by Marxist guerrillas.

Colombia is the world's largest cocaine producer and source of much of the
heroin sold on the streets of U.S. cities.

The White House said the meeting "reflects President Bush's interest in the
Western Hemisphere and, in particular, gives him an opportunity to express
support for President Pastrana's efforts in Colombia."

Bush is underscoring his interest in Latin America by making the first
foreign trip of his presidency to Mexico, where he will meet on Friday with
Mexican President Vicente Fox.