WASHINGTON (AP) Senior administration officials tried to soothe members of
the Congressional Black Caucus who were upset by President Clinton's surprise
announcement this week on narrowing the huge differences between sentences
for selling crack and powdered cocaine.

Caucus members met Wednesday with Attorney General Janet Reno; Clinton's
drugpolicy adviser, Barry McCaffrey; Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder;
and Rahm Emanuel, senior adviser to the president.

The session was ``a good meeting but, you know, a very candid meeting,''
White House press secretary Mike McCurry told reporters Thursday.

Rep. Maxine Waters, DCalif., who chairs the Black Caucus, had complained
that the sentencing guidelines Clinton endorsed this week would only lower
the difference in sentencing for the two different forms of cocaine to a 101
ratio.

Having asked the administration to recommend a 11 ratio, Waters said she was
``annoyed they have not discussed with me or the caucus where they were going
on this issue.''

McCurry replied Thursday: ``The president did discuss this issue with them in
May, and he respects their views but, I think, also has set forth clearly why
he thinks the recommendation that was made to them was the correct one.''

Under Clinton's proposal, which is subject to congressional approval, the
mandatory fiveyear sentence for selling 25 grams of crack also would apply
to dealing 250 grams of powder cocaine. Current law sets a fiveyear sentence
for selling 5 grams of crack or 500 grams of cocaine, a 1001 ratio.

Critics of the disparate sentences say they are unfair to minorities, who are
more likely to possess the cheaper crack. Others contend crack is far more
addictive than powder cocaine because of its concentrated form and also more
likely to be connected to crimes of violence.

APNY072497 1850EDT