61.   The US move came one week after Washington revoked the visa of President Ernesto Samper, who the Clinton administration believes has links to Colombian drug cartels.

62.   Two Americans identified as James Muller and Garry McMullan were arrested for working illegally in Thailand, he said, adding that their visas would be revoked.

63.   Washington has declared Samper persona non grata and revoked his visa.

64.   President Ernesto Samper said he would not step down and stressed that the US decision to revoke his visa has actually made him stronger both at home and abroad.

65.   Samper meanwhile has said he would not step down and stressed that the US decision to revoke his visa has actually made him stronger both at home and abroad.

66.   The drug-money allegations against Samper prompted Washington in July to revoke his visa to travel to the United States.

67.   The lower house of Congress cleared the president of those charges in June, but the United States revoked his visa last Thursday.

68.   The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Washington could apply measures ranging from revoking the visas of Colombian officials to imposing trade sanctions.