BUSH BACKS TRAINING COLOMBIANS

Doesn't Want U.S. In Conflict

BOGOTA -- In an interview published Friday in the Colombian press,
President Bush voiced support for the training of Colombian troops, but
said he is not in favor of U.S. troop involvement in the Colombian conflict.

``We have to be very cautious not to send too many troops and have them get
involved in combat. There is a very fine line between training and combat.
I support training and aid,'' Bush said in an interview granted to a group
of newspapers, including La Republica from Bogota.

Bush upheld the $1.3 billion aid package the United States is contributing
to Plan Colombia to combat drugs.

Plan Colombia has a budget of $7.5 billion, of which Colombia will pay $4
billion.

In regard to Colombian President Andres Pastrana, Bush recalled they had
met before his election to the U.S. presidency and referred to him as a
fighter against drugs.

``At least that is my impression. He is interested in helping to eradicate
drugs, and the United States should cooperate with Colombia. I do not have
any problem with the aid packages.

``But again, I would be very cautious about sending U.S. troops in right
now,'' Bush said.

The new U.S. president said he thinks that ``the first and foremost
objective is to assist President Pastrana to train his own troops.''

Bush showed his concern over ``instability, and we want our friend,
Colombia, to be very stable.''