DRUG PRODUCING AND CONSUMING COUNTRIES DIFFICULT TO DISTINGUISH, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL IS TOLD
Press Release
ECOSOC/5648
DRUG PRODUCING AND CONSUMING COUNTRIES DIFFICULT TO DISTINGUISH, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL IS TOLD
19960627 Illegal drugs had spread to every part of the world, and it was now difficult to distinguish among producer, transit and consumer countries, the Economic and Social Council was told by several speakers this morning, as it continued its high-level discussion of international cooperation against the illicit production, sale and demand of narcotics and psychotropic substances.Transit and producer countries alike were suffering from rapid contamination, while synthetic narcotics were now being manufactured in traditionally consumer countries, the representative of the Republic of Korea said.
Speaking also on behalf of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, the representative of El Salvador said that it was not opportune to differentiate between drug producing, transiting and consuming countries since all the countries were affected by the drug problem. He supported the proposal to convene a special session of the General Assembly in 1998 to examine ways of strengthening the international strategy against drugs.
The representatives of Jordan and of Uganda stressed that, as drugs were being produced, transported and marketed by international cartels, global cooperation was essential in combating that scourge.
Several speakers expressed support for the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and urged that adequate funds be provided for the execution of its mandate. Developed countries should contribute more to the general purpose funds of the Programme, the representative of Zimbabwe said, stressing the need for increased resources, since the people of transit countries were fast becoming illicit drug consumers.
The representative of the Sudan said the lack of spiritual values in many societies had made them susceptible to drugs. His Government applied the death penalty against those involved in the drug trade, he added. The representative of Singapore said that the legal code of his country also provided for capital punishment in serious drug trafficking cases.
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Also this morning, the Council began an exchange of views on the high- level segment sub-theme, "Effects of drug trafficking, sale and consumption on the world economy; and strengthening of the role of the United Nations in drug control". The Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico and the Minister of Justice of Colombia addressed the sub-theme and proposed the drafting of a global treaty on money laundering.
Also making statements this morning were the representatives of Latvia, Ecuador, Angola, Indonesia, Hungary, Ukraine, Panama, Sri Lanka, Iran, Myanmar and Nigeria.
The Council will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its exchange of views on the effects of illicit drugs on the world economy.
Council Work Programme
The Economic and Social Council met this morning to continue its high- level segment, which is discussing international cooperation against the illicit production, sale, demand, traffic and distribution of narcotics and psychotropic substances and related activities. (For a summary of the Secretary-General's report before the Council on that theme, see Press Release ECOSOC/5644 of 25 June.)
Statements
ZIEDONIS CEVERS, Deputy Prime Minister of Latvia, said that his Government was open to international cooperation in its efforts to suppress the illicit transport of narcotics through his country. Latvia received significant assistance from the Baltic regional office of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), based in Riga.
In 1996, Latvia's Parliament had adopted two new laws on procedures for legal distribution of narcotics and psychotropic substances, and on the control of precursor chemicals, he said. Latvia was also preparing a draft law on money laundering, consistent with the terms of the 1990 Strasbourg Convention. Amendments to Latvia's criminal code would soon bring it into compliance with the 1961, 1971 and 1988 United Nations conventions relating to illicit drugs. In 1993, Latvia's Council of Ministers established a national coordinating commission for the control of narcotics and the fight against drug addiction. That commission would concentrate its efforts on law enforcement, control over the legal distribution of narcotics and chemicals, education and rehabilitation programmes.
PARK SOO GIL (Republic of Korea) said illegal drugs had spread to every part of the world, and it was difficult to distinguish producer, transit and consumer countries. Transit and producer countries alike were suffering from rapid contamination, while synthetic narcotics were now being manufactured in traditionally consumer countries. Drugs unravelled the very fabric of the family unit even as they destroyed health. By and large, drug consumption was the primary incentive for illicit drug production and trafficking. Therefore, any strategies towardS demand reduction and supply control had to be mutually reinforcing.
He emphasized the pivotal role of the United Nations in strengthening inter-agency cooperation and the initiative of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) in developing a more operational United Nations System-wide Action Plan on Drug Abuse Control. Stressing that the UNDCP had an important role to play in countering drug abuse, he urged the active participation of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in the United Nations drug control efforts.
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VICTOR MANUEL LAGOS PIZZATI (El Salvador), speaking also on behalf of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, said those countries associated themselves with the statement made by Costa Rica on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China. It was not opportune to differentiate between drug producing, transiting and consuming countries since all countries were affected by the drug problem. He supported the initiative to convene a special session of the General Assembly in 1998 to examine ways to fortify the international strategy against drugs.
Although the problem of production and consumption of drugs in Central America was not as severe as that suffered by other countries, the region was not immune to drugs, he said. Corruption, destabilization and violence were sources of great concern in the region. On 21 June this year, the ministers for the interior of Central American countries had agreed to develop interregional cooperation, exchange of information, the use of canine units on borders and also to establish a regional radar network to combat drugs. As the region was in a transition stage towards peace and sustainable development, any international support in strengthening its prevention methods in the fight against drugs would be welcome.
BILHARI KAUSIKAN (Singapore) said his country had not been spared the attentions of international drug traffickers, but the drug situation there was under control. There were no areas in Singapore where drugs were openly bought and sold, and addicts could not abuse drugs openly without fear of arrest. "If we have been relatively successful in meeting this challenge, it is because of our tough laws and vigorous enforcement action against drug trafficking syndicates." For example, in Singapore, the law provided for the death penalty for trafficking more than 15 grams of heroin. Addicts who were arrested may be detained for a period of six months to three years in rehabilitation centres. Upon release, they were required to report to police stations periodically for two years. Also, addicts were viewed as being ultimately responsible for their problems. Addicts themselves must be motivated to stop their drug use; if not, no amount of treatment would be effective. Rehabilitation centres were administered by the Police Department.
Recognizing the international character of the drug menace, Singapore was working closely with other agencies such as the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the drug enforcement agencies of neighbouring countries, he said. Such cooperation had led to the detection of several international drug syndicates through the exchange of intelligence. "We have no room for social experimentation, no margin of error or tolerance of drug abuse. This must be a battle with no compromise. If we do not totally commit ourselves to destroying the drug menace, it will destroy us."
ADNAN M. FRAIH (Jordan) said that cooperation was the only way that the international community could control criminal drug trafficking networks. His
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Government had deplored the scourge of illicit drugs at every opportunity. He was convinced that drug traffickers respected neither borders nor nationality; international cooperation must be a fundamental basis for action. Regional cooperation was also essential. Jordan had worked with its neighbours to dismantle illicit drug networks.
Many developing countries had only limited resources with which to carry out their anti-drug programmes, he said. That was why the United Nations was an essential part of anti-drug efforts. The United Nations had a great responsibility in combating drug abuse and fostering international cooperation. Jordan supported the efforts of the UNDCP and hoped that international cooperation would soon yield positive results.
MONICA MARTINEZ (Ecuador) said that a special session of the General Assembly, dedicated to fighting the illegal production, sale, demand, traffic and distribution of narcotics, would be the best opportunity to work out new international agreements and strategies. In its deliberations, the Assembly should operate under the assumption of shared responsibilities of producer and consumer countries. Policies should reflect a certain equilibrium, taking into account such activities as crime, money laundering, and arms trafficking.
The Assembly should bear in mind the global nature of the problem, she said. It should discuss demand reduction, alternative development, and ties between narcotics trafficking and terrorism.
M.T. MAPURANGA (Zimbabwe) said his country associated itself with the statement made by the Group of 77 and China. He expressed concern at the decline in resources available to United Nations drug control activities. He stressed that the developed countries should contribute more to the general purpose funds of the UNDCP. He supported Sweden's demand for an increase in untied resources to the Programme. There were alarming indications that transit countries were becoming consumer countries due to the focus thus far on producer and consumer countries.
At the global level, the United Nations provided the most effective tool to fight drugs, he said. There was a glaring link between poverty and drug trafficking and dealing. As long as the international community failed to mount efforts against poverty and unemployment, drugs would continue to gnaw at the core of society. Cases of drug traffickers dealt with by the customs department of Zimbabwe had been rising. There had been an increase in the use of inhalants among street children. That could lead to expansion of hard drugs.
SEMAKULA KIWANUKA (Uganda) said that the war against drug abuse must be fought against both supply and demand. Poverty eradication was an effective way to confront the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking, since rampant poverty and unemployment were major causes of the problem. It was imperative
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that proper drug rehabilitation programmes include the reintegration of drug addicts back into society. His Government had initiated a programme of awareness, education and community development to warn youth of the dangers of addiction.
Uganda believed that regional and international cooperation programmes were essential to identify, monitor and neutralize trafficking syndicates, he said. Technical cooperation in drug abuse control at the operational level had greatly assisted Uganda. His Government was using regional cooperation to stem the scourge of drug consumption and the uses of transit States. Uganda would welcome the holding of a special session of the General Assembly in 1998 to deal with the problem of illicit drugs.
FIDELINO LOY DE FIGUEIREDO (Angola) said that international criminals were taking advantage of the situation in his country, in which 20 years of war had left the borders vulnerable to the transit of illicit drugs. Drug traffickers would not hesitate to create insecurity and destabilize countries in the southern African region. The UNDCP should help those States to establish an adequate institutional structure and juridical framework, as well as in planning and implementing programmes of prevention. The UNDCP must be provided with additional financial and human resources.
Angola was working with its neighbours in the Southern African Development Community and with the Organization of African Unity to fight illicit drug trafficking in the continent, he said. But international solidarity was needed to tackle a problem which had been recognized as a threat to the entire international community.
HAMID ALI ELTINAY (Sudan) said his country associated itself with the statement of the Group of 77 and China. There was a lack of spiritual values in many societies, whereas the fact was that those values provided a safety net against violence and crime. The Sudan was one of the few countries where the drug problem had not reached alarming proportions, although it had been used as a transit country. It had quickly realized that it needed to spiritually arm its young people to help them combat drugs. The young must be guided to sports and spirituality to keep them away from drugs. Moreover, the death penalty had been applied against people involved in drug trade, and an information campaign had been launched.
Many speakers had stated that poverty had to be eradicated to combat drugs, he said. There was a close relationship between the anti-drug campaign and development. By denying funds to developing countries or by basing the donation of funds on political criteria, the developed countries could push poorer countries towards increased underdevelopment that would be a fertile ground for drug production and consumption. It was also regrettable that funds to the UNDCP had declined.
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ISSLAMET POERNOMO (Indonesia) said his country associated itself with the statement made by Costa Rica on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. As a developing country, it was a matter of concern to Indonesia that the global development process was clearly hindered by the diversion of resources. It believed that the drug issue should be taken into consideration within overall development programmes. Member States should act through governing bodies of development organizations to ensure incorporation of drug control concerns into their activities.
He said adequate funds should be made available to the UNDCP. He stressed demand reduction as an important aspect of an international drug- control strategy. The Secretary-General had appropriately indicated in his report that demand-reduction programmes should be mutually reinforcing components of a multifaceted drug-control strategy. He underlined the importance of UNDCP's support in training law enforcement personnel and in establishing intelligence systems, including computerized national networks to analyse information.
GABOR MENCZEL (Hungary) said that his Government had appreciated the efforts of the UNDCP in creating system-wide partnerships which had drawn upon the resources of different agencies. Hungary appreciated the Programme's support for the establishment of a central European cooperation plan, the framework of which had been laid down in a memorandum of understanding signed in Prague in October 1995. That plan called for the training of 300 professionals at drug-treatment institutions.
In February of this year, the Hungarian Parliament had ratified the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, he said. In recent years, Hungary had made efforts to combat drug abuse through anti-drug education in the school system, he added.
ANATOLI ZLENKO (Ukraine) said that criminal syndicates were undermining national economies by investing funds illegally gained through drug trafficking. International drug cartels were taking advantage of his Government's lack of resources and law enforcement capacity. As an economy in transition, Ukraine depended on international cooperation in its anti-drug efforts. His Government fully supported the comprehensive approach undertaken by the UNDCP.
Ukraine had established a national coordinating council to deal with the whole range of issues associated with drug trafficking and abuse, he said. New laws had been enacted to address criminal justice aspects of the problem, and the Ministry of Health had established a committee to target medical aspects of the problem.
JORGE ILLUECA (Panama) said that his country was a crossroads for the maritime routes of the world. His Government was making a major effort to
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participate in the struggle against the production and traffic of narcotic drugs. No country was free of the disastrous effects of drug trafficking. His Government had proposed to the Rio Group of Latin American countries that a new multilateral centre for the fight against narcotics trafficking be established in Panama City in the facilities of the former Panama Canal Zone, he said. His Government could provide buildings and infrastructure for such a facility, he added.
Panama was enacting new legislation to combat money laundering and the trafficking in chemical precursors. Bilateral agreements with Colombia were aimed at enhancing judicial cooperation. Other legislation had established more strict controls on financial transactions and on business taking place in Panama's Free Trade Zone. Panama endorsed the proposed 1998 special session of the General Assembly dedicated to the problem of drug trafficking. Panama was concerned that United Nations agencies dedicated to fighting drug trafficking could not effectively comply with their mandates due to financial problems.
JANAKA NAKKAWITA (Sri Lanka) said the drug problem respected no borders and required a unified international response. It was particularly serious for developing countries, which could not afford to lose their precious human resources because of the debilitating effects of the spread of drugs. Greater attention must be focused on the link between terrorism and drug trafficking. The international community must tackle the problem of terrorist groups which sustained themselves by trafficking drugs and then using the profits to purchase weapons of destruction for destabilizing legally constituted governments. Effective mechanisms were required to stop that practice.
Sri Lanka was party to all United Nations drug-control treaties, he said. The Government was now working to put their provisions into effect. Emphasis was being placed on combating the problem of money laundering. The laws provided for forfeiture of assets derived from drug trafficking. Legislation also covered treatment and rehabilitation centres for addicts. Sri Lanka was committed to working with the United Nations in eliminating the drug scourge, which constituted a threat to mankind's very survival.
MEHDI DANESH-YAZDI (Iran) said his country associated itself with the statement made by Costa Rica on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. A unilateral and unconventional attempt by any country to imitate the role of United Nations competent bodies by duplicating their functions and pronouncing judgements on them would start a harmful trend which could weaken international cooperation in fighting illicit drugs. Iran had entered into arrangements with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, India, Bangladesh and the Kyrgyz Republic to combat drugs.
He believed that, in the fight against drugs, demand reduction should be accorded a high priority. Experience had shown that a balanced approach with
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equal emphasis on demand and supply would be more effective. He supported the approach envisaged that the fight against drugs must be premised on demand reduction and suppression of illicit trafficking. He also asked that the UNDCP assist countries with information and expertise in their fight against drugs.
U WIN MRA (Myanmar) said that concerted action at the national, regional and global levels was imperative to the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The entire United Nations system had responded to the call for greater involvement by integrating efforts against illicit drugs into their development programmes. That system-wide approach, with the UNDCP playing a coordinating role, was essential.
Myanmar had waged a war against drugs ever since independence in 1948 and had intensified that struggle with the promulgation in 1974 of the Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs Law, he said. In 1993, the State Law and Order Restoration Council had enacted a new Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Law to strengthen the hand of law enforcement. Myanmar's national drug strategy was aiming to gradually eliminate the production of poppies by improving the standard of living in those regions in which the crop was grown.
S.A. OTUYELU (Nigeria) said that the fight against international drug trafficking was a non-partisan responsibility to be discharged by all countries. One of the greatest challenges facing those combating drugs was a lack of resources. Nigeria believed that international cooperation should be used to mobilize additional funds.
Nigeria was a signatory of all major United Nations drug control conventions, he said. In 1989, Nigeria had established a National Drug Law Enforcement Agency with a mandate to contain the danger of illicit drugs. A National Drug Administration had been set up in 1993. Nigeria's Ministerial Task Force on Drugs and Financial Crimes and its National Narcotics Money Laundering and Advanced Fee Fraud Control Policy were being used to give legal authority to actions aimed at money laundering in the country. His Government was prepared to negotiate bilateral memorandums of understanding and asset- sharing agreements with other countries in an effort to effectively control the flow of illegal drugs and laundered funds.
Exchange of Views
SERGIO GONZALEZ GALVEZ, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, said that the profits earned by illicit drug traffickers may be greater than those of the oil or arms industries. More information was clearly needed regarding the financial impact of drug trafficking. The impact of privatization and of free trade agreements on the drug trade should also be examined. In an era of enhanced free trade, greater monitoring systems were needed. Some had stated that national economies profited from drug production
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and trafficking. But some 90 per cent of income from cocaine and heroin trafficking was derived in consuming countries.
Free trade agreements should incorporate provisions to combat money laundering, he said. Mexico even favoured the elaboration of a global convention aimed at that problem. Regional agreements in Europe and Latin America could serve as a model for an international treaty.
CARLOS MEDELLIN, Minister of Justice of Colombia, said that the international community agreed that drug trafficking had to be addressed as a problem of both demand and supply. Demand tended to be an internal issue, while supply was a global problem. He agreed with Mexico that a global instrument aimed at drug trafficking would be welcome.
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