950803

Colombian

defense

minister

resigns

BOGOTA: Colombian Defense Minister Fernando Botero resigned Wednesday soon after it was announced he faced investigation for illegal use of funds during the 1994 election campaign of President Ernesto Samper. Botero headed Samper's successful campaign.

The move reflects a deepening crisis in the Samper government, which is embroiled in charges related to the influence of drug-traffickers in campaign financing.

Attorney-General Alfonso Valdivieso called Tuesday for a congressional probe of charges that Samper was linked to the use of funds from the powerful Cali drug carter in the election campaign.

Valdivieso also ordered that investigators probe allegations that Botero was involved in the illegalities.

The resignation came less than a week after Samper called for a special congressional commission to investigate him and his campaign for any links to the Cali cartel.

Samper has maintained that if any drug money was used to finance his campaign it was done without his knowledge, and he promised Tuesday to cooperate with any investigation.-AFP