SENATE TO DELAY BILL AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY FUNDS

The Clinton administration blasted a plan by Senate leaders to delay a $13
billion emergency spending bill that includes money for combating drugs in
Colombia, peace keeping in Kosovo and cleaning up after Hurricane Floyd.

Meanwhile, the top U.S. military commander for Latin America implored
Congress not to delay action on the portion of the package that would help
Colombia and its neighbors fight drug traffickers.

Marine Gen. Charles Wilhelm, commander in chief of the U.S. Southern
Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the House-passed
spending measure, which designates $1.7 billion for drug interdiction, "is
crucial."