CLINTON BLASTS COLOMBIA DRUG TRADE

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. government spent $600,000 enforcing
sanctions against drug traffickers in Colombia during the latest
reporting period, President Clinton told congressional leaders Thursday.

``The magnitude and scope of the problem in Colombia -- perhaps the
most pivotal country of all in terms of the world's cocaine trade --
are extremely grave,'' Clinton said in a letter to House Speaker Newt
Gingrich, R-Ga., and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss.

Clinton affirmed that his administration is using its authority under
a 1995 executive order to maintain a freeze on U.S. assets of major
drug traffickers based in Colombia. His report covered the period
April 21 through Oct. 20.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry