Colombian President Pastrana in Washington for Trade Talks

Colombian President Andres Pastrana arrived Saturday for a four-day visit to the United States, during which he will seek trade agreements to revive his country’s ailing economy and might ask for more money to buttress his U.S.-backed drug war.

Pastrana’s trip will include a visit with President Bush and talks with U.S. congressional leaders, governors and trade representatives, according to the presidential palace.

“We are going to dedicate a good part of our meetings Monday and Tuesday to looking for ways to foster commercial agreements with the United States,” Pastrana told reporters shortly before his departure.

Colombia’s economy recovered slightly last year from a 3% contraction registered the previous year but is still struggling with an unemployment rate of 20%. Among the trade benefits Pastrana will seek are tariff reductions for Colombian textile products.

Pastrana also indicated that he will seek more money for social programs in impoverished cocaine-producing areas where the drug war is being waged. Although no specific figures have been mentioned, any new aid package is also expected to include funds for Colombia’s police.

Washington is backing Pastrana’s drug-fighting initiative through a $1.3-billion aid package, mostly in the form of military assistance.

About 72,000 acres of coca have been destroyed by fumigation planes backed by U.S.-donated combat helicopters, according to U.S. and Colombian officials.