Pubdate: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 Source: Associated Press Copyright: 1999 Associated Press Author: David Briscoe, Associated Press Writer PLAN WOULD BOOST AID TO COLOMBIA IN WAKE OF PASTRANA VISIT WASHINGTON (AP) -- A $1.5 billion congressional plan to combat illegal drugs from the Andean region brought praise from Colombian President Andres Pastrana as ``a good starting point'' for his own $7.5 billion economic recovery and anti-drug program. Pastrana is asking for $3.5 billion in foreign assistance. During a 24-hour visit to Washington, he got statements of support from President Clinton, members of Congress and World Bank president James Wolfensohn but no concrete pledge of cash. His visit also brought some criticism Wednesday for his efforts to negotiate with leftist rebels, his recognition of a demilitarized zone with the rebels and his failure to bring along a top police commander to boost his cause. The closest thing to an offer with a figure attached came in a $1.5 billion bipartisan proposal by Sens. Paul Coverdell, R-Ga., and Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. They are drafting legislation that over three years would give: - --$540 million for helicopters and other equipment to attack new coca crops and opium poppy in southern Colombia. - --$405 million for air interdiction and enhanced law enforcement programs. - --$365 million to enhance regional drug interdiction. - --$120 million to develop alternative opportunities to growing drug crops in Colombia, Bolivia and Peru. - --$70 million to bolster democracy and human rights in Colombia. ``We need this help, this support urgently,'' Pastrana said before returning to Bogota. Colombia received $300 million in U.S. aid this year, making it one of the top aid recipients in an era of declining foreign assistance and reflecting concern that most cocaine and heroin on U.S. streets comes from the country. President Clinton expressed support for Pastrana's program in a meeting with the Colombian leader in New York on Tuesday. Wolfensohn pledged World Bank support, although he did not suggest a figure for low-interest loans or assistance. He said the bank wants to help Colombia ``deal with the social impact of the anti-drug campaign and the country's other economic programs.'' Meantime, the House International Relations Committee issued a statement from its chairman, Rep. Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y., rejecting increased military aid until government access is restored to a ``Switzerland-sized demilitarized zone ceded to narcoterrorists.'' Pastrana told reporters Gilman never raise the condition when the two met. He said the government has control in the territory. Gilman said only, ``A great deal of support was expressed by our committee today.'' Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., criticized the Colombian governments' contacts with the FARC leftist rebels, who are also linked with the drug trade. He said Pastrana lost credibility because he failed to bring along his most effective drug fighter, Gen. Jose Serrano, national police chief. ``President Pastrana knows how much influence General Serrano carries with the Congress,'' Burton said, adding that it would be difficult to support aid unless the bulk of it goes to the police. Pastrana, saying the matter did not come up in their meeting, told a reporter: ``The president of Colombia is President Pastrana, not General Serrano.'' - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake