02 June 2000
(U.S. sanctions will complement multilateral efforts, he says) (530) Gen. Barry McCaffrey, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), says that the new U.S. law imposing sanctions on major foreign drug traffickers will complement the Clinton Administration's efforts to coordinate with other countries in the war against illegal drugs. "We continue to work closely with foreign governments in confronting drug traffickers ... and we are extremely pleased at growing multilateral and bilateral efforts, including sharing of information and enforcement," McCaffrey said in a June 2 statement. On June 1, President Clinton identified 12 major foreign drug traffickers who will be subject to financial and other economic sanctions under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, which the president signed into law in December 1999. Following is the text of McCaffrey's statement: (begin text) Statement of Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey on the Designation of Drug Kingpins June 2, 2000 (Washington, D.C.) -- White House National Drug Policy Director Barry R. McCaffrey today welcomed the President's designation of twelve narcotics "Kingpins" pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Director McCaffrey stated, "Drug traffickers named on the list will be subject to economic and other financial sanctions provided in the Act. The designated 'Kingpins' and their organizations will be denied the benefits of access to the U.S. financial system and to trade and transactions involving U.S. businesses and individuals. Their assets subject to the jurisdiction of the United States will be blocked, and U.S. persons will be prohibited from engaging in any dealings with the designated 'Kingpins,' as well as their front companies and agents." "The National Drug Control Strategy directs that Federal agencies support global efforts to disrupt the flow of dirty money, track criminal sources of funds, forfeit ill-gained assets and prosecute offenders," said McCaffrey. "The Foreign Narcotic Kingpin Designation Act will be a major tool for Federal Law Enforcement as it continues to disrupt and dismantle international drug trafficking organizations. We will now have improved tools to deny these criminals their illicit profits and track them down, no matter where they may hide." The Act is designed to build upon the earlier successful application of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to Colombian Cartels. In past years, the use of IEEPA has proven to be a major factor in preventing Colombian drug trafficking organizations from subverting legitimate businesses. Director McCaffrey concluded, "We continue to work closely with foreign governments in confronting drug traffickers. We are respectful of the sovereignty of nations as an important ingredient in our counterdrug efforts, and we are extremely pleased at growing multilateral and bilateral efforts including sharing of information and enforcement." We will expect the application of sanctions under this Act to continue those multilateral and bilateral successes. The Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, which mandates today's action, was included in the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000, that President Clinton signed into law on December 3, 1999. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)