COLOMBIA AIR FORCE CHIEF RESIGNS OVER DRUG FLAP

BOGOTA - Colombia's Air Force chief resigned in disgrace Tuesday after
saying he felt personally responsible for the embarrassment caused by
a huge cocaine shipment found aboard an air force plane seized at a
Florida airport, authorities said.

Spokesmen for President Andres Pastrana said he accepted the
resignation of Gen. Manuel Sandoval, shortly after summoning him to
the presidential palace to discuss the international incident
involving about 1,400 pounds (640 kg) of cocaine.

U.S. Customs officials and drug agents discovered the cocaine Monday
in the cargo bay of a Colombian Air Force C-130 ''Hercules'' transport
plane, after it landed at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport
outside Miami.

A grim-faced Sandoval had told a news conference early Tuesday that as
air force commander he assumed all responsibility and had offered to
step down from the post to which he was promoted last August, two days
after Pastrana was sworn into office.

"This has hurt our image, and not just the image of the air force,''
he said.

"I answer for all my men... In this case, as commander, I must take
responsibility,'' Sandoval said.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry