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)
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Source: Voice of America
.