Top Colombian President Candidates
                 By The Associated Press
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A look at the four leading candidates in Sunday's presidential election in
Colombia:

HORACIO SERPA, 55: Lawyer and Liberal Party candidate backed by President
Ernesto Samper. Former attorney general and interior minister, Serpa
vigorously defended Samper against accusations he solicited money from the
Cali cartel.

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ANDRES PASTRANA, 44: Former television journalist, Bogota mayor and 
senator
taking his second run at the presidency. Conservative Party candidate who
pledges to stamp out corruption, cut the sales tax, create jobs and end a
decades-long civil conflict. Kidnapped in 1988 by the Medellin drug cartel
during his mayoral campaign; freed a week later.

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NOEMI SANIN, 49: Former foreign minister running as an independent and
seeking to break the Liberal and Conservative parties century-long hold on
power. Former communications minister and former ambassador to 
Venezuela.

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HAROLD BEDOYA, 59: Ex-general sacked as armed forces commander in July
after criticizing Samper for demilitarizing a vast southern region in
exchange for the release of 70 soldiers held by leftist guerrillas. Running
as an independent, he pledges to end drug trafficking and 
corruption.