3 ACCUSED OF COCAINE TRAFFICKING

U.S. To Seek Extradition Of Feared Colombian Paramilitary Members

WASHINGTON - The federal government unsealed an indictment Tuesday alleging
that Carlos Castano and two members of his feared right-wing paramilitary
group in Colombia have brought 17 tons of cocaine into the United States
and Europe since 1997.

Attorney General John Ashcroft said the government would seek extradition
of the men, who belong to the outlawed United Self-Defense Forces of
Colombia. The United Sates considers the group, known by its initials in
Spanish as the AUC, and Colombia's two rebel armies as terrorist organizations.

Mr. Ashcroft said the indictments mark the convergence of two top Justice
Department priorities: the prevention of terrorism and reduction of illegal
drug use.

Mr. Castano, his military commander, Salvatore Mancuso, and group member
Juan Carlos Sierra-Ramirez are violent drug traffickers who "threaten our
national security," Mr. Ashcroft said during a news conference.

Mr. Castano's headquarters are in the mountains of northwest Colombia,
where he has led a war against leftist rebels. In public statements, he has
tried to distance the AUC from drug trafficking. He told reporters recently
that if the United States sought his extradition, he would surrender and
willingly go to the United States.

Meantime, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, making his first official visit
to Washington, promised an all-out effort to put drug traffickers out of
business.

Speaking Tuesday to a gathering sponsored by six private research groups,
Mr. Uribe said a tough stand against illegal armed groups is the best hope
for a negotiated settlement.

"We can no longer allow the terrorist groups to threaten our people," he said.

Mr. Uribe, who is to meet Wednesday with President Bush, reaffirmed his
offer to open a dialogue with the groups on the condition they agree to a
cease-fire. He also pledged efforts to end Colombia's role as the world's
largest producer and distributor of cocaine.