RENO TO VISIT COLOMBIA FOR DRUG TALKS

WASHINGTON, - U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno is
visiting Colombia next week for talks on the war against drugs after
attending a conference with Latin American justice ministers in Peru.

Reno said on Thursday at her weekly news briefing that she would meet
on March 1-3 in Lima with justice ministers from the hemisphere. It
will be the group's second meeting.

She is then scheduled to go to Bogota on Wednesday afternoon and
continue talks the next day with government officials to determine how
the United States can best work with Colombia in combating illegal
drug producers.

The trip takes place just a few days after the Clinton administration
is expected to give its blessing to Colombia's anti-drug efforts.

The White House on Friday is expected to fully certify Colombia, the
world's largest cocaine producer, as an ally in the war against drugs.

Reno said her trip was unrelated to the announcement, as it had been
initially scheduled for December, but had to be postponed. She said it
seemed reasonable to add the Colombia visit after the scheduled
Peruvian conference.

Reno said she has been impressed with the Colombia government's
efforts against drugs during the last several months.

"I look forward to learning, to listening, and to reaching some
understandings with my colleagues in Colombia about what we can do to
build a partnership that can truly have an impact on drug
trafficking," Reno said.

"Colombia has so much that is so good, it is an opportunity for me to
see that and to understand how we may be a better partner with the
government of Colombia ... in addressing a problem that affects both
nations," she said.