COLOMBIA TO REASSURE U.S. OF ITS ANTI-DRUG COMMITMENT

BOGOTA (Reuters) - President Andres Pastrana will meet U.S. lawmakers
in Washington next week to outline his controversial plan to order a
troop pullout from a vast swath of Colombian territory to promote
peace talks with Marxist rebels.

Defense Minister Rodrigo Lloreda announced the previously unscheduled
visit in an interview with Colombian radio Thursday, saying it would
allow Pastrana to address growing concerns among U.S. congressional
leaders about the troop withdrawal and its possible implications in
terms of the country's booming drug trade.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady