DATE=8/22/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S-BRAZIL DRUGS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253017
BYLINE=BILL RODGERS
DATELINE=BRASILIA
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:
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///Eds: Portuguese Act in Bubble with Audio
Feed///
INTRO: U-S drug policy director Barry McCaffrey meets
with top Brazilian officials Monday for talks aimed at
expanding joint cooperation in the fight against drugs
- especially narcotics trafficking from Colombia. VOA's
Bill Rodgers reports from the Brazilian capital.
Text: Monday's visit to Brasilia by White House drug
policy director Barry McCaffrey comes as the Brazilian
government is becoming more concerned over the rise of
drug trafficking through its Amazon basin. Increasing
amounts of cocaine, and even heroin, are being smuggled
through the sparsely populated region - much of it
coming from Colombia.
Mr. McCaffrey, who meets Monday with Brazilian
President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and other top
officials, will discuss expanding U-S-Brazilian
cooperation in halting this trafficking. The u-s drug
policcy director also is expected to discuss U-S
concerns over the deteriorating situation in Colombia,
where leftist guerrillas are being paid to protect the
drug cartels and then use the money to finance their
war against the government. Mr. McCaffrey, who was in
Bogota last month, said the ties between the guerrillas
and drug traffickers in Colombia threaten the stability
of the region.
Mr. McCaffrey's Brazilian counterpart, Walter
Maierovitch, says Monday's discussions will concentrate
on developing a coordinated strategy against drug
trafficking.
///Maierovitch Portuguese Act///
Mr. Maierovitch - who heads the National Anti-Drug
Secretariat (Eds: Secretaria Nacional Antidrogas,
SENAD) - says he expects the visit will lead to a new
phase of international cooperation, which will be much
more active and more efficient.
Brazil will be Mr. McCaffrey's first stop in a five-day
trip through South America. He also will visit Boliva,
Peru, and Argentina. His trip comes as the Clinton
Administration examines various proposals for
increasing the amount of anti-narcotics assistance to
Colombia and other nations in the hemisphere. (Signed)
NEB/WFR/PT
22-Aug-1999 22:20 PM LOC (23-Aug-1999 0220 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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