EX-COLOMBIAN MINISTER SEEKS ASYLUM IN COSTA RICA

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - Colombia's former Energy and Mines
Minister, who fled his country after being charged with taking money from
drug traffickers, has sought political asylum in Costa Rica, officials said
on Thursday.

An official with Costa Rica's foreign ministry said Alvaro Leyva, who has
been in the Central American country since July 24, filed for asylum late
Wednesday.

``The case is being studied by the foreign ministry's legal office,'' the
official said.

Leyva has told reporters in Costa Rica he fears assassination if he were to
return to Colombia.

Colombia earlier this week asked Costa Rica to extradite Leyva, 56.

Colombia's chief prosecutor's ordered Leyva's arrest on charges of
allegedly receiving 49 million Colombian pesos, currently about $35,000,
from a front company of the Cali drug cartel in mid-1994 -- his fee from
the sale of 30 trucks to a large mining company.

Leyva has repeatedly denied the charges, saying he received the money in a
legitimate business deal.

Colombia's main rebel army said Leyva played a key role in July peace talks
between the rebels and then President-elect Andres Pastrana.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels said last month
attempts at building a peace process would fail without Leyva's aid.

^REUTERS@

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski