Committee chairmen to help shape Latin American policy.

WASHINGTON -- The 107th Congress, which convened this month, features a new slate of House committee chairmen who will wield influence over US policy in Latin America.

The incoming Bush administration has an unusual chance to put its imprint on US foreign policy because it is the first time in nearly 50 years that Republicans will control the Home, Senate and White House.

Chief among those to watch is Henry Hyde (R-IL), who heads the House International Relations Committee. He replaces Benjamin Gilman (R-NY) who was forced to step down because of six-year term limits on chairmanships imposed by Republicans in 1994.

The committee oversees many aspects of US foreign polio3 including loans, international economic policy and US activities related to the United Nations.

Hyde defeated Doug Bereuter (R-NE), who had been the committee's vice-chair and lobbied aggressively for the chairmanship. Jim Leach (R-IA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) also wanted the job. All three will remain as committee members.

The 76-year-old Hyde is admired by some House Republicans for leading the impeachment fight against President Bill Clinton. He was first elected in 1974.

Hyde's experience in Latin America is mostly confined to the Cold War days of US involvement in Central America. In fact, he joined the International Relations Committee in 1982, at the height of the crisis in Central America, and immediately became a loyal supporter of the Reagan administration's policies in the region. He supported the US-backed Nicaraguan "contras," rebels who opposed the leftist Sandinista government. He also served on the joint House-Senate panel that investigated the Iran Contra affair, a scandal involving the sale of US arms to Iran in order to raise money to supply the contras. Outside of that, his views on Latin America are largely unknown.

A senior GOP House aide said Hyde has a "deep" interest in the region and will focus attention on the US relationship with Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, especially when it comes to energy-related issues. He also said Hyde would push for free-trade legislation, specifically the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Hyde is a prolific legislator. During his six years as chair of the Judiciary Committee, he ushered through an average of 160 pieces of legislation every year.

Despite his limited exposure in the region and his less than active role on the International Relations Committee during the past six years, Hyde is certain to raise the committee's prominence because of his strong ties to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL). The pair are longtime friends.

In his letter to persuade Hastert to appoint him to the post, he said he wanted to "reinvigorate" the partnership between the United States and Latin America.

Over the next year, Hyde's committee will likely weigh in on the controversial Plan Colombia, which the US is supporting with $1.3 billion in aid over two years year. Hyde voted in favor of US funding of the plan.

With regard to Cuba, Hyde stands with most conservative members of Congress in opposing any moves to weaken the Cuban embargo. He voted for a bill to tighten it in 1995.

Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA) is expected to retain his position as chair of the Western Hemisphere subcommittee of the International Relations Committee. The decision is pending.

Other key House committee appointments with implications for US policy in Latin America are:

* Rep. Bill Thomas (R-CA), 59, an abrasive but effective lawmaker, who will head Ways and Means, which has responsibility for trade policy. It also is the first stop for "fast-track authority" legislation.

* Rep. Bob Stump (R-AZ), 73, a veteran lawmaker, who was named chair of the Armed Services Committee, which oversees the Defense Department. The department is involved with counter narcotics efforts in Colombia.

* Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) 56, heads the Small Business Committee. Manzullo is interested in increasing US exports. His committee is expected to try to help small businesses sell their services and products abroad.