DATE=2/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226743
TITLE=MCCAFFREY / DRUGS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=PHILADELPHIA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
// ATTN.: LATAM SHOWS //
INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS ANNOUNCED A 10-YEAR PLAN
AIMED AT HALVING ILLEGAL DRUG USE IN THE UNITED STATES. V-O-A
WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.
TEXT: THE HEAD OF THE U-S DRUG CONTROL POLICY OFFICE, RETIRED
(ARMY) GENERAL BARRY MCCAFFREY, OUTLINED THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN FOR
REPORTERS IN PHILADELPHIA, WHERE MR. CLINTON WAS TRAVELING
FRIDAY.
HE SAYS THE PROPOSED ANTI-DRUG BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR TOTALS 17-
BILLION DOLLARS -- ONE-BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE CURRENT YEAR.
MUCH OF THAT INCREASE IS EARMARKED FOR PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN
SCHOOLS AND A MEDIA CAMPAIGN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE -- WARNING OF THE
DANGERS OF DRUGS.
THE INITIATIVES COME IN RESPONSE TO A RECENT RISE IN DRUG ABUSE
AMONG THE NATION'S YOUTH, A TREND THAT ONLY LAST YEAR APPEARED TO
BE REVERSING, ACCORDING TO GENERAL MCCAFFREY.
// MCCAFFREY ACT //
THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL REASON TO BELIEVE WE HAVE MADE THE
BEGINNING OF SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN REDUCING DRUG USE
BY YOUNG AMERICANS AND BY REDUCING THE SUPPLY OF DRUGS,
PARTICULARLY COCAINE, FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET.
// END ACT //
THE NEW DRUG BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES FUNDING FOR ONE-THOUSAND
ADDITIONAL BORDER PATROL AGENTS, NEW TECHNOLOGY TO BETTER MONITOR
THE SOUTHWEST BORDER, AND 75-MILLION DOLLARS TO SUPPORT U-S,
ANDEAN, CARIBBEAN AND MEXICAN INTERDICTION EFFORTS.
GENERAL MCCAFFREY REPORTED PROGRESS IN CRACKING DOWN ON COCA
PRODUCTION IN LATIN AMERICA.
HE CITED PERU, SAYING COCA PRODUCTION THERE HAS DROPPED BY 40
PERCENT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
// MCCAFFREY ACTUALITY //
THAT IS A FUNCTION OF A LOT OF THINGS, SOME SMART
ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC POLICIES BY PRESIDENT FUJIMORI, IT
IS CLEARLY ALSO A FUNCTION OF THE AIR-BRIDGE
INTERDICTION OERATION BETWEEN PERU AND COLOMBIA, WHICH
HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS.
// END ACT //
HE SAYS THERE HAS BEEN A FIVE PRECENT DECLINE IN COCA PRODUCTION
IN BOLIVIA -- THE FIRST SUCH DROP IN EIGHT YEARS.
BUT HE SAYS A CHALLENGE REMAINS FOR COLOMBIA.
// MCCAFFREY ACTUALITY //
THE BAD NEWS IS THERE WAS A RATHER DRAMATIC 18 PERCENT
INCREASE IN COCA PRODUCTION IN COLOMBIA. POOR
COLOMBIA. IT IS EXPLODING DOWN IN THE SOUTHERN
REGIONS...
// END ACT //
GENERAL MCCAFFREY ALSO PRAISED COOPERATION FROM MEXICAN
AUTHORITIES IN THE WAR ON DRUGS.
// MCCAFFREY ACTUALITY //
WE HAVE SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT COOPERATION IN THE AREAS
OF MONEY LAUNDERING, PRECURSOR CHEMICAL CONTROL, NEW
LEGAL AUTHORITIES ON THE PART OF THE MEXICANS, PASSED
BY THEIR CONGRESS INCLUDING SOME THAT REQUIRED
CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION. WE ARE ASSISTING IN THE
TRAINING OF NON-CORRUPT MEXICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT
INSTITUTIONS.
// END ACT //
BUT, HE SAYS, MEXICO CONTINUES TO GRAPPLE WITH A SERIOUS PROBLEM
OF VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION, WHICH HE SAYS ARE FUELED BY
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/RRM
13-Feb-98 5:43 PM EST (2243 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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