31 July 1997
The oft-visited theme of safeguarding national sovereignty ran
throughout Latin American, Caribbean and South Asian editorials
commenting on the illegal drug trade and U.S. efforts to combat it.
Commentators held that the U.S., in several instances while carrying
out its anti-drug policies, has displayed an "absolute lack of tact
and respect" for other nations' sovereignty. As examples of where the
U.S. has purportedly overstepped its authority, pundits included: the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) perceived pre-emptive
announcement identifying the late Mexican drug kingpin Amado Carrillo
Fuentes before Mexican officials had the chance to do so; the
allegedly illegal interception of a Jamaican fishing vessel by a
British ship carrying on board a U.S. Coast Guard detachment; and the
detention in New York of a Pakistani air force officer on drug charges
and the conduct of some DEA operations in Pakistan. Opinionmakers
called on the superpower to be more cooperative and mindful of other
countries' sovereignty. They were also quick to insist that America
should do more to curb its domestic demand for illicit drugs. The
moderate, influential Daily Gleaner of Kingston's comment found common
ground with other media voices: "Central to the problem is America's
seemingly insatiable appetite for...drugs.... The simple response
would be that if there was no buyer, the sellers would starve." Only
in Port of Spain--where the DEA informed authorities of a planned
docking in Trinidad of a Colombian boat loaded with cocaine--was there
a firm call for the "fullest possible cooperation" with the U.S.
anti-drug agency. Pundits further expounded on:
AMADO CARRILLO FUENTES: Mexico's left-of-center La Jornada contended
that by confirming Mr. Carrillo's identity before the Mexican
authorities could do so, the DEA acted without regard to Mexican
sovereignty. The paper called on the Mexican authorities to revise
hemispheric anti-drug strategies--"which...have been largely imposed
by narrow U.S. criteria."
INTERCEPTION OF FISHING VESSEL: Caribbean analysts were in a frenzy
about the U.S.-British interception of a Jamaican fishing vessel, the
Silver Dollar. A majority of Jamaican and other editorialists
expressed concern that the ship was intercepted in Jamaican waters
without the permission of the Jamaican government, prompting charges
that "powerful" nations had "flouted" the authority of a sovereign
Caribbean nation. For some, the incident resurrected the argument
against the so-called "shiprider" agreement with the U.S., recently
signed by Kingston and other nations. Some Kingston dailies, noting
the stern words exchanged between the Jamaican government and the U.S.
Embassy over conflicting accounts of the incident and subsequent
actions taken by each side, were highly critical of the way the
Kingston government handled the affair, calling it an "embarrassing
diplomatic row." They warned Caribbean critics not to lend "succor" to
the drug lords by creating tensions with the U.S., and called for a
"return to...long-standing friendly relations" between the U.S. and
Jamaica. U.S.-PAKISTAN: Several Pakistani commentators were strident
in their criticism of the U.S. They charged that the DEA--in an
attempt to "destroy Pakistan"--was spreading rumors about the
Pakistani military, trying to entrap them on drug trafficking charges.
This survey is based on 24 reports from 6 countries, June 21-July 26.
EDITOR: Diana McCaffrey
LATIN AMERICAN AND THE CARIBBEAN
MEXICO: "Firmness On Mexican Sovereignty"
Left-of-center La Jornada stated (7/17): "The Mexican foreign
ministry's coordinator for special affairs and drug control clearly
said that Mexico will not give any more attributions to DEA agents
operating here. This statement, which outlines a firm attitude
corresponding to the defense of Mexico's sovereignty, should be
appreciated and supported. The issue of the bilateral anti-drug
cooperation has resurfaced because of the recent death of drug
trafficker Amado Carrillo Fuentes. We should remember that in response
to the Mexican attorney general's office offer to cooperate by letting
U.S. law enforcement agents take a sample of the corpse fingerprints,
the DEA acted with absolute lack of tact and respect for Mexico's
sovereignty by confirming Carrillo's identity--which was the job of
Mexican authorities. Carrillo's death is likely to bring about a
restructuring of drug rings in Mexico, and under that pretext, the
United States will try to get additional concessions regarding its law
enforcement agents
in Mexico. Thus, the Mexican foreign ministry's statement comes at the
precise right time. The Mexican authorities should also propose a
revision of hemispheric anti-drug strategies--which so far have been
largely imposed by narrow U.S. criteria, and have not succeeded in
eradicating drug trafficking, reducing significantly drug production
or undermining to a large extent the power of drug trafficking
organizations."
"Main Generator Of Demand For Drugs: U.S."
Centrist-nationalist Excelsior held (6/24): "The United Nations report
on the drug situation in the world states that drug consumption has
increased worldwide.... In addition to solving this problem, the
governments should also address the issue of drug- related corruption
among public officials.... Mexico is also affected by the drug
trafficking problem. However, the main generator of the demand for
drugs is a wealthy nation--the United States. The United States is the
origin of the market that expands to developing nations in Latin
America. Something similar happens in Europe and Asia where developed
nations have the demand for drugs and corrupt poor nations."
BARBADOS: "Going To Bed With The Elephant"
The moderate Barbados Nation ran this editorial comment (7/25):
"Before the ink on the maritime agreement between Jamaica and United
States (the word 'shiprider' was thrown over board but not the mindset
of its authors) was dry, the Jamaican foreign minister...was accusing
the United States of a breach of Jamaican territorial integrity. And
this happened in a situation where the Jamaican and Barbadian versions
were touted as superior to the others!... It would have been safer and
sounder to negotiate a regional agreement.... Dealing with a country
the size and history of the United States is like going to bed with an
elephant. If all the CARICOM states had together negotiated a single
agreement with the United States we would have been that much stronger
and safer in standing up to the United States. We would be less easily
squashed by the elephant!...
"In the present dispute between United States and Jamaica, it was
reported that an apparently peeved U.S. diplomat in Kingston chided
the Jamaican government for relying solely on the assertion of the
Jamaican crew [of the Silver Dollar, a Jamaican fishing vessel
intercepted by British and American Coast Guard personnel].... But why
shouldn't they be believed? Because they are crew members or because
they are Jamaican? This issue of credibility is being argued against
the background of the more recent CNN [show] Burden of Proof grilling
of the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines [regarding the
detention of two the Fletchers--American husband and wife accused of
killing a St. Vincent water taximan]. Jamaicans should accept the word
of U.S. naval officials. However, the CNN Burden of Proof panelists,
of imperialist mindset, refused to accept Sir James Mitchell's
truthful assertion that criminal justice in St. Vincent is
administered, not by his government, but by the regional Eastern
Caribbean judicial system. The elephant again?"
ECUADOR: "Threats To The World"
Leading centrist El Comercio opined (7/2): "There is a virtual 'new
war in the world,' a U.S. senator contends. His opinion refers to
various perils of this age, one close to Ecuador among them: the
powerful drug mafia from Colombia. Senator John Kerry's experience
stems from his work in the subcommittee for terrorism, drugs and
international operations of the U.S. Congress. He wishes to warn the
world and his country. His idea is that the fight against these five
world threats must be a crusade similar to that against Hitler's
armies and ideas during the 40s. The five criminal organizations
threatening international security after the Cold War are, by concept,
the growing Russian mafia, the Chinese triad, the Colombian drug
cartels, the Japanese 'Yakuza,' and the Sicilian mafia. For us
Ecuadorians, we might add, this statement is useful to help us
remember how dangeorous is the threat that for various decades we have
had nearby. It some times has extended its tentacles into our
territory and has rea
ched some Ecuadorian citizens."
JAMAICA: "More Crucial To Get Rid Of (U.S.) Demand"
Lloyd Williams wrote in the moderate, influential Daily Gleaner(7/23):
"Those who would legalize narcotics contend that current anti-drug
policies all over the world are failing and new proposals show signs
of being just as costly and even more repressive.... But the people
against legalization argue that...what is needed...is tougher law
enforcement, more education, treatment and economic development in the
areas that spawn the drug trade.... They agree that there is no easy
solution to the international drug problem....
"Perhaps the drug problem...is simply so overwhelming that the
experts...those gifted with common sense, and the think tanks need to
huddle and come up with effective new strategies.... The problem of
narcotic drugs is more than just a medical and a legal problem. Also
it is a local, national and international political problem. And it is
not simply a matter of getting rid of the drugs.... It's even more
crucial to get rid of the demand and then getting rid of the criminal
cartels which supply it.... Central to the problem is America's
seemingly insatiable appetite for...drugs.... In his excellent book in
which he traces the origins of narcotic control in the United States,
David F. Musso...describes America's narcotics problems as 'the
American disease,' the title of the book.... Today the simple response
would be that if there was no buyer the sellers would starve. Of
course except for the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act's provision for
labelling, no U.S. Federal regulatory law against marijuana (ganja)
was enacted until 1937. Jamaica has had laws against ganja since 1913.
"
"Silver Dollar, Copper Sense"
University lecturer and regular columnist Stephen Vasciannie wrote in
the moderate, influential Daily Gleaner (7/14): "Jamaica's policy on
maritime drug trafficking should be guided by two central principles.
First, we must work to ensure maximum co-operation with other
countries as we tackle the might and guile of the international drug
cartels...secondly, Jamaica must work to preserve its national pride
or 'sovereignty.'... On one view of the facts, there was a violation
of Jamaican sovereignty by the Americans and the British [regarding
the Jamaican Silver Dollar fishing vessel] , while on another view,
the incident...was normal, legally permissible contact.... No one can
reach proper conclusions...without weighing the evidence and sorting
out all the relevant facts.... I would withhold judgement on the
substance of what really happened....
"I do not intend, however, to withhold judgement on the performance of
the Jamaican government.... Specifically, I believe that the
government has misled the country, in a queer attempt to wrap itself
in the flag of bravado. The government misled us in two ways. First,
they said they had 'called in' the U.S. ambassador and the British
high commissioner to protest the incident, when, in fact, they had not
done so.... When were the foreign emissaries actually called in?
"Can the foreign ministry really believe that the sentence 'we propose
to discuss this matter with you on the margins of the 18th CARICOM
Heads of Government Summit' amounts to calling in foreign
representatives on a matter of importance? 'Calling in' is a formal
procedure, usually initiated by a diplomatic note.... The foreign
ministry must know--they must know--that, as the term is used in
international practice, they did not 'call in' anybody on June 27....
It was handled in a rather slapdash and cavalier manner.... The minis
try of foreign affairs wanted to look tough on Silver Dollar, but at
best, it looks incompetent. At worst, they have been simply dishonest.
Frankly, I wouldn't put a copper cent in support of the way the
government has handled the Silver Dollar affair to date."
"Return To Diplomacy"
The editorial in the moderate, influential Daily Gleaner said (7/14):
"The diplomatic row between the United States and Jamaica over the
Silver Dollar affair should find calmer seas this week. In the main
this may be due to the tone of moderation adopted by the foreign
ministry responding to tough talk by the U.S. Embassy last week. The
night-time encounter...may have been less lively than its sequel. For
it has raised questions about the uses of diplomacy when conflicts
arise.... American Ambassador Gary Cooper pointedly denied meeting
with any government official...prior to last Tuesday, July 8. The
ministry...said its permanent secretary spoke with the ambassador...on
June 30.... Whether such an encounter can be construed as a 'meeting'
is a moot point. Mr. Cooper...was emphatic enough about it to the
point of having to 'exercise considerable restraint.'...
"Even while maintaining its demand for an apology for a breach of
Jamaican sovereignty, the foreign ministry strikes a conciliatory note
in its latest statement...and it reiterates its commitment to continue
co-operating in the war against drug trafficking. We think there is
good ground to return to traditional diplomacy and long- standing
friendly relations. Jamaica and the region need no reminder of
American superpower. A fishing boat is no match for a warship."
"A Matter Of Respect"
The business-oriented, centrist Weekend Observer (7/11) commented in
an editorial: "Relationships, whether within a household, an
organization or between countries, function best when there is mutual
respect and trust. A breakdown in any of these areas lays the
foundation for minor incidents to be blown out of proportion and
create an atmosphere of animosity and ill-will. The furor between the
Jamaican foreign ministry and the U.S. Embassy in Kingston this week,
seems to be one such case when an incident with potential to be
settled by quiet diplomacy has been handled in a less than skilful
manner.
"Some of the facts....are beyond dispute. (1) The boat was intercepted
off the coast of Jamaica by a British warship...which had on board a
detachment of U.S. Coast Guard officers. (2) The Jamaican fishermen
were interrogated by the foreign officers in an apparent search for
narcotics. Among the areas of dispute is whether the boat was
intercepted in Jamaican territorial or international waters.... The
U.S. Embassy also insists that the Jamaican vessel was not boarded at
any time or the local fishermen detained. A secondary quarrel is over
the interpretation of a press release issued by the foreign ministry
on June 27 which said the U.S. and UK heads of diplomatic missions had
been called in for the government to register its protest over what it
saw as breaches of the country's sovereignty.... We find it difficult
to understand how either party would wish one version to be accepted
as truth at this stage. The Americans are clearly upset over reports
which suggest that Ambassador J. Gary Cooper was called in for a
meeting before July 8....
"It would appear to us that diplomatic niceties aside--the two
governments would serve the interests of their respective countries
better by having serious and frank talks outside the glare of
publicity where differences over the interpretation of facts and
events can be thrashed out without the temptation to grandstand. The
treatment of this issue suggests an underlying mistrust over
commitments to fighting the narcotics trade and respect for
territorial sovereignty. That cannot be good for cordial relations
between neighbors."
"Explanation Due Nation From Ministry"
The moderate, influential Daily Gleaner (7/10) commented: "The
ministry of foreign affairs appears to have maneuvred itself into an
embarrassing diplomatic row with the United States.... Foreign
Minister Seymour Mullings has described the interception as a
violation of Jamaica's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This was
supposedly followed up by the summoning of the American and British
envoys with the intention of demanding an apology. That version of
events was conveyed to the media by way of a ministry press release;
but the United States Information Service (USIS) has countered on
behalf of the U.S. Embassy to the effect that the ministry had relied
on assertions of the crew of the fishing boat which had exaggerated
the encounter. What has irked the Americans is the apparent
misrepresentation in the press release about meeting personnel from
both missions to demand an apology. Ambassador Gary Cooper has
pointedly declared that his first meeting with Jamaican officials on
the incident ha
ppened only on Tuesday, July 8. The American statement said they were
'exercising restraint in the face of a provocative press release
containing factual errors.' This comes as close to a slap in the face
as diplomatic usage will allow. Mr. Mullings must take full
responsibility for an episode which reflects badly on his ministry. It
puts a pall on the friendly relations this country enjoys with the
United States. The nation is due an explanation from a senior minister
who is also feputy prime minister."
"Pushing Toward A New Low Ebb In Relations"
The business-oriented, centrist Daily Observer (7/9) reported: "The
U.S. Embassy in Kingston yesterday stopped just short of accusing the
Jamaican government of lying over the controversial June 23 incident
in which a British warship with American Coast Guard sailors on board
stopped and questioned a Jamaican fishing boat off the island's south-
west coast. The Americans also appeared to warn Jamaica not to give
succor to drug traffickers by its action over such matters.... The
embassy also branded as provocative' the foreign ministry's attitude
to the incident; accused the Jamaicans of apparently forming opinions
based solely on the assertions of the fishing boat; and dismissed
suggestions that U.S. Ambassador J. Gary Cooper had previously been
called on by the foreign minister, Seymour Mullings to hear Kingston's
protest. In fact, it was only yesterday that Cooper had a face-to-face
meeting with Mullings and other senior government officers to discuss
the matter, the embassy said.
"The statement was uncharacteristically blunt for the world of
diplomacy, and seemed set to push Kingston and Washington's
relationship to a new low in the wake of the recent thaw that followed
last year's quarrel over Jamaica's decision to hold out on signinq the
shiprider agreement and accusations that the Jamaican government
harbored drug smugglers.... Significantly too, the other key players
in the incident, the British high commission, has not itself issued a
statement on the issue although the foreign ministry had last week
indicated that the high commissioner, Richard Thomas, would have been
called in for scolding.... It was Prime Minister P.J. Patterson who
last Thursday disclosed publicly that he had instructed Mullings to
call in Cooper and Thomas to hear Jamaica's protest and to demand an
apology in the face of complaints that the British ship, the HMS
Liverpool, had detained the fishing vessel, the Silver Dollar, within
Jamaica's territorial waters. Patterson was likely to interpret the
statemen
t as a personal affront given his role in the issue and the strong
stance he took last year during the shiprider debate."
"Impasse In The Making"
The moderate, influential Daily Gleaner (7/9) said: "An impasse
appears to be in the making between the United States and the
government of Jamaica over the interception by a British warship...of
the Jamaican fishing vessel, the Silver Dollar.... The United States
and the Jamaican government appear to disagree on where the Silver
Dollar was intercepted and whether the American ambassador was called
to a meeting by Minister of Foreign Affairs Seymour Mullings on June
27 to discuss what was said to be a breach of Jamaica's sovereignty.
In a strongly-worded statement yesterday, the U.S. Information Service
said that the United Staets had 'exercised considerable restraint in
regard to public actions by the government of Jamaica regarding this
incident.'... The United States claimed that the 'event' may have
taken place more than 12 miles from Jamaica's archipelagic baseline"
"The Silver Dollar Affair"
University lecturer and National Democratic Movement spokesman Stephen
Vasciannie wrote in the moderate, influential Daily Gleaner(7/7): "On
June 23, the British ship HMS Liverpool, with British and American
coastguards on board, intercepted a Jamaican fishing boat, detained
it, and conducted a search for illicit drugs. In response, the
Jamaican minister of foreign affairs, Seymour Mullings, summoned
diplomatic representatives from the British High Commission and the
U.S. Embassy to consider the matter and, we are told, 'to demand an
apology' for breach of Jamaican sovereignty. If the facts concerning
the Silver Dollar are correctly reported, then the Jamaican government
has proceeded correctly.... The apology could possibly mollify both
the minister of foreign affairs and the fishermen who were on board
the Silver Dollar when the power and might of our imperial friends
descended upon them.... The apology will prompt the British and
Americans--out of a sense of embarrassment--to ensure that they
implement proper procedures before searching Jamaican vessels.
"In the case of the Americans, those proper procedures were the
subject of a well-publicized...stand-off and reconciliation under the
heading of the 'Shiprider Debate'; now that the procedures are in
place, the Americans (as well as the Jamaicans) should follow them.
Still, at the broader political level, the Silver Dollar affair is
unfortunate, because it may divert our attention from the drug menace
which continues to haunt Jamaica. Whenever such episodes occur, they
cause us, quite correctly I believe, to focus on Jamaican sovereignty.
But...we should also remember the underlying purpose for drug
searches...Jamaica and other Caribbean states have become significant
transhipment points.... Thus...it is also important that we give full
support to all legitimate searches and seizures in Caribbean
waters....
"One has the impression that the foreign minister 'dressed down' his
British and American counterparts...because the search had taken place
within our territorial waters.... This approach is misguided.... If
the Silver Dollar was a Jamaican vessel...then, for the purposes of
international law it does not matter whether the search took place
within or outside Jamaican waters.... The violation of sovereignty
took place because a Jamaican ship was searched by foreigners without
Jamaican permission."
"This U.S. Arrogance Won't Work"
The business-oriented, centrist Daily Observer opined (7/1): "The
Jamaican government was right to call in the British and American
envoys...to protest last week's detention, by a British warship, of a
Jamaican fishing vessel. The move sends a signal to Jamaicans that our
government is not about to just sit by and allow the country's
sovereignty to be flouted, notwithstanding the strength and power of
those who would abuse our rights. There are other implications to be
considered.... Most critical of these is...that what happened off the
island's south coast underlined the correctness of the government in
holding out for a negotiated shiprider agreement, rather than, like
most other Caribbean community (CARICOM) members, merely embracing the
one put on the table by the united states.
"This issue should provide a salutary lesson to the CARICOM heads of
government now meeting in Montego Bay.... Obviously, the vessel was
part of an Anglo-U.S. drug interdiction patrol in the region.
"It seems reasonable to assume that the British warship spotted the
Jamaican fishing boat...and believed it to be a drug-running boat.
They decided to intercept. But this was done inside Jamaica's
territorial waters, in breach of Jamaican and international law....
This incident has to be viewed against the controversy that surrounded
the shiprider negotiations and Jamaica's insistence that its
sovereignty be respected. Under what most of the other territories
accepted, there would have been nothing, or little to complain
about.... It would have been passed off as just one of those things.
Jamaica insisted (and barbados followed) that the local authorities
have to give american vessels permission to chase suspected drug
smugglers.... The reason is very clear. It would do the British and
Americans well to forward the requested apology and pledge to get
shiprider off to a better start. For in the end, it is partnership
which will win the war against drugs. Not high-handed arrogance from
the powerful."
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: "The Trinidad Connection"
The independent Guardian commented (7/26): "The Trinidad connection in
the scheduled journey of the Ricky II, the Colombian cargo vessel
found carrying more than four tons of cocaine, must deeply concern
local authorities. Our information is that the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Agency (DEA) had alerted the TT police that six Trinidadians had been
assigned by the Colombian drug cartel to make sure that the vessel had
a smooth passage while it docked in Trinidad. This information would
indicate that our country is still deeply involved in the network by
which drug are transported from the producers in South America to the
countries of North America and Europe. According to reports coming out
of the Venezuelan port of Puerto Cabello where the Ricky II was held,
the names of the Trinidadians were obtained in investigations done
among the crew of the ship.
"The cargo of cocaine, it would seem, was destined for the United
Kingdom and Europe, in which case the vessel would have to be
'protected' from any form of interference while it unloaded its
legitimate cargo in Trinidad. Now the DEA is asking the Trinidad
authorities for information on the six Trinis who apparently had been
given this special assignment. We expect, of course, the fullest
possible cooperation of our police with officers of the DEA and the
Venezuelan authorities. The...government has pledged this kind of
international collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking and
this appears to be an opportunity to unearth and possibly apprehend a
group of people not only connected with the largest drug bust in
Venezuela's history, but also employed directly, it seems, by
Colombian drug producers.... Another interesting element of the story
is the news that the United States and Venezuela had signed an accord
somewhat similar to the controversial 'shiprider' agreement between
the United States a
nd TT. Under this treaty, U.S. Coast Guard vessels will be able to
board Venezuelan vessels in international waters to search for illegal
narcotics."
"American Influence"
The Rev. Jesse Jackson's two-day visit to Port of Spain courtesy
Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO), to deliver the keynote
address at the annual agents convention taking place on July 16
prompted some in the media to reflect on U.S.-Caribbean relations. The
independent Express (7/16) ran this editorial comment: "Jackson,
indeed, recognizes that the world's biggest threat today is no longer
communism or nuclear weapons but the destructive power of drugs. The
fact that the narcotics menace has become as grave a source of concern
in Trinidad and Tobago as it is in the United States is largely due to
the influence that American pop culture has traditionally had upon
us."
"The Next Step: Prevention And End Of Demand"
In the view of the independent Guardian (6/21): "Much has been said in
praise for the U.S. government assistance which has helped to score
significant successes in identifying drug lords and convicting them,
and it is hoped that the shiprider agreement would also help in
reducing the drug trade. But the important goal should be to prevent
substance abuse in all its forms. It is only when the demand dies that
the sources will dry up. U.S. envoys and other officials have
frequently boasted about their country's partnership in stemming the
drug trade. If they are sincere about this, they should be willing to
pour some money into drug prevention. It is the next step to take."
SOUTH ASIA
PAKISTAN: "Simple Simons' Complex Logic"
The radical, pro-Iran Muslim held (7/25): "A Jurist in disguise,
Ambassador Thomas Simons Jr. can upset the prosecutors in uniform....
Blending his diplomatic skills with Roman law, he conveniently
mistranslated the delay in a charge-sheet to seek a quick acquittal
for DEA employee Ayaz Baluch, a local recruit. Simons softly pleaded
for his handover to U.S. authorities, insisting the man was not guilty
of any offence and as an argument pointed out to the inordinate delay
in the official charge sheeting of Baluch by Pakistani prosecutors.
The tactics are not new to defense lawyers. The call for quick
indictment in often designed to offset a nerve- racking investigation
for criminals always prefer shortest confessions and minimum
punishments."
"Ayaz Baloch Affair--Part Of Campaign To Destroy Pakistan"
An op-ed by Dr. S.M. Koreshi in the rightist, English-language
Pakistan Observer said (7/25): "It seems that the [Ayaz Baluch's]
mission was meant not only to defame Pakistan forces but also to
destroy the fabric of discipline and morals of the younger generation
officers as had happened in Vietnam to the American Gls and young
officers? Ayaz Baluch was apparently acting as a tool of this scheme.
Why would there be such stout defence for him otherwise. A campaign is
going on these days to destroy Pakistan, to destroy Pakistan's values,
system, self-confidence, moral fibre and make Pakistanis doubt the
viability of their country and subvert its ideology."
"Focus On Demand Side"
Gen. Khalid Mahmud Arif (Retd) wrote in the Karachi-based independent
Dawn (7/ 24) tha "the drug menace cannot be controlled at the supply
end only. The demand end is equally blameworthy for the ongoing drug
trade in the world."
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7/31/97
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