DATE=11/10/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S - DRUG LIST (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256032
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Clinton Administration has taken two
countries off its annual list of places that are
considered major drug producers or drug transit
points. There were no new additions, but North Korea
was added as a country of concern. From the State
Department, V-O-A's Kyle King reports.
TEXT: President Clinton's letter to Congress says the
Caribbean nations of Aruba and Belize were taken off
this year's list.
Under U-S law, countries found to be major producers
or drug transit points could have U-S aid cut off if
they do not cooperate with counter drug efforts.
/// OPT ///
Although they are not sovereign countries, Hong Kong
and Taiwan remain on the list. The other countries
listed in Asia are Afghanistan, Burma, Cambodia,
China, Laos, India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In Latin America, the designation applies to the
Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Laos,
Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. The
only African country listed is Nigeria.
/// END OPT ///
Some members of Congress are bound to be angered by
the absence of Cuba from this year's list. State
Department spokesman James Rubin says there was no
evidence of major quantities of drugs being shipped
from Cuba to the United States.
/// RUBIN ACT ///
We remain concerned about trafficking through
and around Cuba, and around Cuban airspace, yet
during this past year we have seen an apparent
decrease in the trafficking patterns.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Rubin says last year's seizure of a seven-ton
shipment of Colombian cocaine bound for Cuba was
apparently destined for Europe and not the United
States.
To make the list, a country must either produce more
than one-thousand hectares of illegal drugs or be a
major shipment point for drugs heading to the U-S
market.
/// REST OPT ///
The President's letter says there has been no
confirmation of reports that North Korea has become a
significant producer of opium poppy. But the letter
lists North Korea as an area of concern.
The entire Eastern and Southern Caribbean was also
listed as an area of concern.
Although Iran is listed as a shipment point for drugs
to Europe, the report notes Iranian claims of success
in eradicating opium poppy cultivation. The letter
says there was no detectable cultivation in
traditional areas. (Signed)
NEB/KBK/TVM
10-Nov-1999 18:34 PM EDT (10-Nov-1999 2334 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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