According to the Washington Post, high-ranking members of the of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee suggested that the Bush administration was very likely to find a "receptive audience" to a proposal to help Colombia fight "domestic terrorism."

Until now, official U.S. policy has barred use of some $2 billion in military aid provided to Colombia to fight the opposition guerrilla army, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Last week the regime launched an offensive to retake a large swath of territory it granted the rebels as part of a negotiations process.

"There is just more support now," a subcommittee aide told the Post. The lawmakers have pointed to the change in Washington's designation of FARC from "insurgents" to "terrorists" as enough justification for the shift in policy.

The Bush administration has requested $600 million for 2003 to fight "drug trafficking," and an additional $98 million for training and equipment for an army brigade to protect an oil pipeline. It has also authorized providing the Colombian military with intelligence and other aid to combat the guerrilla army.

"Colombia is not asking for anything out of the ordinary," said the Colombian ambassador to the United States. "There is a large amount of equipment in Colombia that we can use to improve our armed forces to prevent attacks and to pursue the terrorists." The equipment includes 12 Black Hawk helicopters that could be quickly upgraded for combat use.  
 
 
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