Pubdate: Fri, 10 Mar 2000
Source: Newsday (NY)
Copyright: 2000, Newsday Inc.
Contact:  (516)843-2986
Website: http://www.newsday.com/
Author: Alan Fram, Associated Press Writer
Editor's Note: Bill includes $1.7 billion for Colombia aid

$9B OK'D FOR U.S. TROOPS IN KOSOVO

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House could approve a $9 billion measure for
Colombia, U.S. forces in Kosovo and other programs next week, despite
grumbling by an unusual coalition of Democrats and conservative
Republicans.

The House Appropriations Committee approved the package Thursday on a
33-13 vote, paving the way for House consideration. Its prospects are
dimmer in the Senate, where GOP leaders have shown little enthusiasm
for the legislation.

In a committee meeting that lasted nearly seven hours, the chief
target for amendments was the package's $1.7 billion for stabilizing
the government of Colombia and fighting drug traffickers in that and
other Andean nations.

The committee voted 36-20 to reject an effort by Rep. David Obey,
D-Wis., to withhold $552 million of that money. It also used a mostly
party-line 31-23 vote to reject an effort by Rep. Nancy Pelosi,
D-Calif., to add $1.3 billion for drug treatment and prevention
programs in the United States.

"If anyone thinks drug use in the United States is not emergency
status, you better think again," said Rep. Sonny Callahan, R-Ala.

But Obey and others argued that the United States risks a costly,
10-year involvement in Colombia, where a decades-long civil war
already has taken 35,000 lives. Colombia has become the world's top
cocaine producer, and efforts by Bogota to stop the traffickers have
so far produced scant results.

"I don't see why we should be embarking on a campaign that will be
highly expensive and could lead to a lot of other problems," Obey said.

President Clinton proposed $1.3 billion for Colombia and other Andean
nations, on top of $300 million already in the pipeline.

In a letter to committee leaders, White House budget chief Jack Lew
lauded lawmakers' "timely support," saying it would "help to stem the
flow of drugs into the United States and will further benefit the
United States by bringing greater peace and prosperity to an important
ally."

The aid to Colombia includes money to supply 63 helicopters, train and
equip Colombian troops and police, strengthen human rights efforts and
persuade coca farmers to grow other crops. Included are small amounts
of aid for Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.

In addition to opposition by some Democrats to the Colombia package,
many conservatives say the overall bill is too expensive. The $9
billion bill is almost double the $5.2 billion Clinton requested, and
it is almost entirely paid for out of the budget surplus.

The bill also includes:

- --$2.2 billion for recovery from last fall's Hurricane Floyd and other
disasters. Clinton has proposed $1.2 billion. The extra money includes
$7 million to combat Pierce's disease, which is hurting Southern
California farms, and $40 million to help Florida producers of lime
and other crops damaged by the citrus canker.

- --All $2 billion Clinton wants for the costs of American forces in
Kosovo, and the $25 million for U.S. operations in East Timor.

- --$1.6 billion to cover the Pentagon's higher fuel bill caused by
rising oil prices and $854 million to bolster the Defense Department's
health insurance program. Clinton asked for neither.

- --$104 million to build a new U.S. embassy in Sarajevo, Bosnia. But it
ignores the additional $135 million Clinton requested for new
diplomatic buildings in Pristina, Kosovo, and in Tirana, Albania.

- --$40 million Clinton wants to help residents near the Vieques, Puerto
Rico, firing range used by the Navy.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Allan Wilkinson