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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)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.