COLOMBIA URGES PEACE WITH REBELS

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- Colombia's president said Thursday he will
not let the drug war -- long the United States' priority in this
country -- impede his efforts to make peace with Colombian rebels.

President Andres Pastrana also characterized leftist rebels as
potential allies in a new anti-narcotics strategy.

``My government will not allow peace to be hijacked by narcotics,''
Pastrana said in a speech at the presidential palace. ``The prolonging
of the conflict in Colombia benefits first and foremost the drug bosses.''

The speech was intended to stress Pastrana's contention that peace
offers the best chance for defeating drug trafficking in Colombia,
which exports more than 80 percent of the world's cocaine and a
growing amount of heroin.

Pastrana was scheduled to visit Washington on Tuesday for the first
state visit in 30 years by a Colombian president.

U.S. lawmakers have threatened to cut anti-narcotics aid if Pastrana
stops aerial spraying of drug crops as part an eventual deal with
rebels. Pastrana maintains drug crop eradication has been a failure
and is an environmental menace.

President Clinton, meanwhile, told congressional leaders Thursday that
the U.S. government spent $600,000 enforcing sanctions against drug
traffickers in Colombia in a six month period ending Oct. 20.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady