DATE=3/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228808
TITLE=LATAM/DRUGS (L-ONLY CQ)
BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE
DATELINE=SAN JOSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A SENIOR AMERICAN ANTI-NARCOTICS OFFICER SAYS THE UNITED
STATES IS WORRIED ABOUT DRUG-RELATED CORRUPTION WITHIN SENIOR
RANKS OF THE MEXICAN ARMY. THE ISSUE AROSE AT A CONFERENCE OF
ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICE CHIEFS IN COSTA RICA, AS WE HEAR FROM
CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE.
TEXT: THE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS FOR THE U-S DRUG ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY, GREG WILLIAMS, SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION AVOIDS COOPERATION
WITH THE MEXICAN ARMY BECAUSE IT FEARS INTELLIGENCE WILL BE
PASSED ON TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS. INSTEAD, HE SAYS, THE D-E-A WORKS
WITH MEXICAN POLICE.
/// INSERT WILLIAM ENGLISH ACT ///
THE D-E-A IS AWARE THAT THERE IS CORRUPTION IN THE
MEXICAN MILITARY. WE PRESENTLY, RIGHT NOW, ARE WORKING
CLOSELY WITH THE MEXICAN POLICE AND WE HAVE A VERY GOOD
WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. WE ARE CONCERNED. WE
KNOW IT EXISTS. WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE INFORMATION THAT
WE HAVE AGAINST CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN
MEXICO. BUT WE ARE CONFIDENT WE HAVE A LEVEL AND A
GROUP OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN MEXICO THAT WE CAN
WORK WITH.
/// END ACT ///
MR. WILLIAMS SPOKE AT THE END OF A THREE-DAY CONFERENCE IN COSTA
RICA THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER ABOUT 150 ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICE
OFFICIALS FROM 38 COUNTRIES IN NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA, EUROPE
AND ASIA.
THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS U-S AUTHORITIES HAVE CONCLUDED THE
MEXICAN MILITARY IS MORE DEEPLY INVOLVED WITH DRUG TRAFFICKERS
THAN THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED. ACCORDING TO AN
ARTICLE PUBLISHED THURSDAY, A CLASSIFIED D-E-A INTELLIGENCE
REPORT SAYS LAST YEAR'S ARREST OF A MEXICAN GENERAL IN CHARGE OF
DRUG ENFORCEMENT FOLLOWED SECRET MEETINGS BETWEEN MEXICAN ARMY
OFFICERS AND THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST DRUG MAFIA.
THE MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTRY IS ASKING THE UNITED STATES TO
CONFIRM IF THE INTELLIGENCE REPORT EXISTS AND, IF SO, TO SHARE
ITS CONTENT. (SIGNED).
NEB/MWD/WTW
26-Mar-98 10:44 PM EST (0344 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
NEWSLETTER
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|