HOUSE MAY ADD MILLIONS TO COLOMBIA DRUG WAR

WASHINGTON (Associated Press) -- House leaders are considering whether to
follow up a $1.3 billion aid package designed to help Colombia's military
combat the narcotics trade with $99.5 million more to bolster Colombian
police anti-drug efforts.

In negotiations over the original package, which emphasized military aid,
congressional Republicans already switched 14 helicopters and other
materiel to the police.

John Feehery, spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, said Saturday
that Hastert saw a possible need for additional help when he accompanied
President Clinton to Colombia on Aug. 31 for the symbolic delivery of the
first package.

Hastert, R-Ill., "went down there and felt that Colombia's national police
are an important part of the war on drugs," Feehery said in an interview.
"They obviously need the equipment necessary to do their part."

He said that does not mean that the second round of aid will be provided as
requested by 17 conservative lawmakers in a letter sent before Congress'
August recess. "They're looking at it," Feehery said, and no decisions have
been made.

The group, headed by Reps. Dan Burton, R-Ind., and Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y.,
wants the money to buy aircraft, ammunition and other equipment for the
Colombian police for delivery in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

The Clinton administration stressed aid to the military in the original
package because anti-government guerrillas or right-wing paramilitary
groups control much of the land used to cultivate illegal drugs. Colombia
supplies 90 percent of the cocaine sold in the United States and a growing
percentage of the heroin.