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U-N / DRUGS



DATE=3/27/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228843
TITLE=U-N / DRUGS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS HAS UNVEILED ITS FIRST STRATEGY FOR A 
GLOBAL WAR ON DRUGS -- A PLAN THAT TARGETS BOTH THE ILLICIT 
SUPPLY AND THE DEMAND FOR DRUGS.  LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS THE PLAN 
WILL BE CONSIDERED AT A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE U-N GENERAL 
ASSEMBLY IN JUNE.

TEXT:  THE PERSON HEADING THIS NEW DRUG-BUSTING EFFORT IS AN 
ITALIAN AUTHORITY ON ORGANIZED CRIME WHO HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR
MANY OF ITALY'S RECENT SUCCESSES AGAINST THE MAFIA.  

PINO ARLACCHI, WHO NOW HEADS THE U-N'S DRUG CONTROL PROGRAM, SAYS
NARCOTICS AND ORGANIZED CRIME ARE THE MAJOR THREATS TO THE WORLD 
IN THE NEXT CENTURY.   HE SAYS THE U-N'S NEW STRATEGY WILL FOCUS 
-- FOR THE FIRST TIME -- ON BOTH SUPPLY AND DEMAND WHICH HE CALLS
TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN.  HE SAYS ONE OF THE AIMS OF THE 
PROGRAM IS TO REDUCE BY HALF THE DEMAND FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS IN 10 
YEARS. 

                     ///  ARLACCHI ACT  ///

         THIS IS PROBABLY THE MAJOR NEW ELEMENT OF THE STRATEGY 
         BECAUSE UNTIL NOW, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ADDRESSED
         MORE STRONGLY, IT FOCUSED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON THE 
         ISSUE OF SUPPLY REDUCTION. 

                        ///  END ACT  ///

MR. ARLACCHI SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS WILL ADVISE COUNTRIES ON 
SETTING UP EDUCATIONAL, PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION 
PROGRAMS TO HELP ABUSERS GET OFF DRUGS.  THE UNITED NATIONS 
ESTIMATES THERE ARE ABOUT EIGHT-MILLION DRUG ABUSERS WORLDWIDE.  

THE SECOND HALF OF THE PLAN IS TO ELIMINATE THE PRODUCTION OF 
UNAUTHORIZED COCA AND OPIUM IN 10 YEARS.  MR. ARLACCHI SAYS FIVE 
COUNTRIES -- BOLIVIA, COLOMBIA, PERU, BURMA AND AFGHANISTAN -- 
WILL BE ASSISTED IN PLANTING SUBSTITUTE CROPS AND DEVELOPING 
OTHER WAYS OF EARNING A LIVING.  

IN ADDITION, MR. ARLACCHI SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS HAS SEVERAL NEW
PROPOSALS FOR STRENGTHENING LAWS AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING.

                     ///  ARLACCHI ACT  ///

         BANK SECRECY IS A BIG OBSTACLE FOR JUDICIAL 
         INVESTIGATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD AGAINST THE CRIMINALS 
         WHO HIDE THEIR PROFITS IN THESE PLACES.

                        ///  END ACT  ///

MR. ARLACCHI SAYS THE ILLICIT CROP ERADICATION PROGRAM WILL COST 
BETWEEN FOUR AND FIVE-BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.  HE
SAYS MOST OF THE FUNDS WILL COME FROM THE COUNTRIES THEMSELVES 
AND SOFT LOANS FROM INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS.  HE CALLS 
THIS SUM OF MONEY A PITTANCE WHEN COMPARED TO THE ESTIMATED 
400-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TAKEN IN BY DRUG TRAFFICKERS.  
(SIGNED) 

NEB/LS/JWH

27-Mar-98 12:31 PM EST (1731 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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