BOMB FOUND BEFORE CLINTON'S VISIT

CARTAGENA, Colombia (AP) -- Colombian police said they found a small bomb
in a Cartagena neighborhood hours before President Clinton was to appear
there Wednesday.

A Secret Service official said that only explosive materials -- not a bomb
- -- had been found. But Carlos Perdomo, spokesman for the National Police,
said a 4.4 pound explosive device had been deactivated.

Perdomo said the device was apparently not designed to cause damage or
injuries, but to spread propaganda of the leftist rebels of the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

He said two rebels were seen planting it and were arrested by police. They
had in their possession dozens of pamphlets denouncing Clinton's one-day
visit to Colombia on Wednesday.

``It's purpose was to scatter FARC propaganda against the visit of
President Clinton,'' Perdomo said.

Guerrillas frequently plant pamphlets when they set off bombs.

The Secret Service official said three people were arrested.

Perdomo said the device was placed five blocks from the House of Justice, a
neighborhood government building which Clinton and Colombian President
Andres Pastrana were to inaugurate later Wednesday.

White House aides traveling with Clinton said they had no immediate
comment.

The rebel group, known as the FARC, is the largest and oldest guerrilla
movement in Colombia.