PASTRANA TO ASK BUSH FOR LOWER TRADE TARIFFS

WASHINGTON -- Colombian President Andres Pastrana will ask President Bush
today to ease trade restrictions on textiles and other goods. He hopes the
move will boost his country's economy and discourage drug trafficking.

Last year, Congress approved $1.6 billion for Pastrana's ''Plan Colombia,''
which emphasized coca eradication and military aid. President Bush's
''philosophy on trade would be consistent with supporting'' an enhanced
trade pact, an administration official familiar with today's meeting agenda
said.

In addition, the Bush administration is expected to designate at least $400
million in the budget for Plan Colombia, the official said.

Colombia is covered by the Andean Trade Preference Act, which expires in
December. Pastrana wants the U.S. to renew the agreement with additional
tariff reductions for textiles and apparel. Colombia, battling a 20%
unemployment rate, recession and a guerrilla war, needs trade preferences
to save jobs, Pastrana said. Without legitimate jobs, unemployed people
will be more likely to get involved in the drug trade or join the leftist
guerillas, he said. Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., plans to introduce the
legislation in March.