DATE=6/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233612
TITLE=U-N DRUGS / DEFENSE (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (TUESDAY) REJECTED SUGGESTIONS 
THAT ITS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONFERENCE, NOW UNDERWAY IN NEW YORK,
IS PROMOTING UNREALISTIC PLEDGES AND INEFFECTIVE PROGRAMS.  
V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT:  A U-N SPOKESMAN GAVE REPORTERS A LENGTHY DEFENSE OF THE 
DRUG CONFERENCE IN RESPONSE TO AN EDITORIAL IN THE NEW YORK TIMES
NEWSPAPER.  THE EDITORIAL DESCRIBES THE CONFERENCE AS "WELL 
INTENTIONED BUT MISDIRECTED" AND SAYS THE POLICIES THE UNITED 
NATIONS IS SUPPORTING COULD ACTUALLY HINDER EFFECTIVE DRUG 
PROGRAMS.

THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE U-N OFFICE FOR DRUG CONTROL, SANDRO TUCCI, 
SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS DISAGREES WITH THESE OPINIONS AS WELL AS 
A STATEMENT IN THE EDITORIAL QUESTIONING PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE 
TALEBAN LEADERSHIP IN AFGHANISTAN AND THE GOVERNMENT OF MYANMAR.

                       ///  TUCCI ACT ///

         THAT THE AFGHAN AND THE MYANMAR GOVERNMENTS ARE 
         UNRELIABLE PARTNERS MAY BE A VIEW OF SOMEBODY.  IT MAY 
         EVEN BE OUR VIEW.  THE POINT IS THAT THESE ARE THE 
         PEOPLE THAT WE MUST DEAL WITH BECAUSE THESE ARE THE 
         PEOPLE WHO ARE GROWING OPIUM AND THE ALTERNATIVE TO TRY 
         TO WORK WITH THEM WOULD BE TO DO NOTHING.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE EDITORIAL ECHOES THE CRITICISM OF SOME NON-GOVERNMENTAL 
ORGANIZATIONS AT THE THREE-DAY CONFERENCE ... THAT THE UNITED 
NATIONS IS SUPPORTING STRATEGIES THAT HAVE FAILED IN THE PAST.  
IT SAYS CROP SUBSTITUTION, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER PROGRAMS TO 
CUT DRUG SUPPLY RARELY DELIVER PROMISED RESULTS.

MR. TUCCI REJECTS THE EDITORIAL'S CLAIMS, SAYING THAT FOR THE 
FIRST TIME THE UNITED NATIONS IS GIVING EQUAL STATUS TO THE 
REDUCTION OF DRUG CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION.

THE DRUG CONFERENCE IS SCHEDULED TO END WEDNESDAY WITH THE 
APPROVAL OF A POLITICAL DECLARATION PROMISING INCREASED 
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE WAR ON DRUGS.  THE DECLARATION 
SETS DEADLINES FOR REDUCING PRODUCTION OF ILLICIT DRUGS AND 
ESTABLISHING INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION IN THE AREAS OF LAW, 
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE.  BUT MANY LEADERS ATTENDING THE
MEETING HAVE WARNED THAT THE CONFERENCE WILL HAVE BEEN A WASTE OF
TIME IF ITS PROMISES ARE NOT FOLLOWED WITH CONCRETE ACTION.  
(SIGNED)



NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

09-Jun-98 5:13 PM EDT (2113 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.