Informed Sources

Birth of a "Narcodemocracy"?

Washington -- Top Clinton Administration officials have met with the two leading candidates in Colombia's presidential elections, Ernesto Samper and Andres Pastrana, to warn them that the CALI DRUG CARTEL -- which controls 80% of the global cocaine market -- is trying to channel drug money into their campaigns to gain influence. "We are deeply worried about a narcodemocracy developing," says a senior U.S. official. Another concern: DEA and State Department officers believe sensitive information provided to Colombian prosecutors has leaked to the cartel and may have led to the deaths of family members of anti-Cali witnesses. So strong is American distrust that U.S. officials have stopped sharing information with the Colombian justice system.

No. 4 for Benazir Bhutto

Islamabad -- A staunch advocate of family planning in her overpopulated homeland, Pakistan's Prime Minister, BENAZIR BHUTTO, appears not to be heeding her own advice. Although the steamy tropical summer has arrived, Bhutto, 40, has taken to wearing coats or heavy gowns in an effort to hide her eight-month pregnancy; the baby is supposed to "announce itself" later this month. Not surprisingly, Pakistan's favorite pun plays off Bhutto's party initials, P.P.P. (Pakistan People's Party): with three children already, she's known as the "Perpetually Pregnant P.M."