INTERNATIONAL MEETING IN MOSCOW TO ADDRESS RAPIDLY ESCALATING DRUG PROBLEM IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Press Release
SOC/NAR/757

INTERNATIONAL MEETING IN MOSCOW TO ADDRESS RAPIDLY ESCALATING DRUG PROBLEM IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION

VIENNA, 4 April (UN Information Service) -- Confronted with a rapidly growing drug problem that threatens Russia's political and economic security along with that of neighbouring States, the Government of the Russian Federation and the Vienna-based United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) are organizing a two-day conference in Moscow from 16 to 17 April. At the same time, Giorgio Giacomelli, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, will pay an official visit to Moscow.

The International Conference on Drug Control Cooperation will be opened by one of the two Vice-Prime Ministers of the Russian Federation and Mr. Giacomelli, acting in his capacity as Executive Director of the UNDCP. Participants from more than 20 countries will plan an international response aimed at stemming the escalation of the drug threat within Russia and its effect on other countries.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin recently warned that organized crime had turned into one of the biggest threats to Russian's national security and was "destroying the economy, destabilizing the political climate and undermining public morale".

Russian drug-related crime, which is increasing by more than 20 per cent per year, and other criminal activities that have flourished since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, have become a major challenge for the international community. The sudden changes due to the opening of borders and the move to market economies in countries of the former Soviet Union have far outpaced the ability of Governments to control the flow of goods and people. As a consequence, Russia has been identified by the UNDCP as a key trafficking route for drugs originating in Asia destined for western Europe, and domestic drug abuse is growing by more than 15 per cent per year.

Cities are rife with drug-related criminal gangs that are expanding and becoming more powerful. Organized criminal groups now account for 25 per cent of crimes and this figure is increasing. Money laundering is booming: in

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1982, the Soviet Union had four banks, all closely regulated; by 1995, there were almost 3,000, of which, according to Moscow police, 25 per cent are controlled by organized crime.

The Conference will focus on efforts to assist the Russian Government in combating groups engaged in drug trafficking and those involved in a wider range of drug-related criminal activities. The Russian Government will present a four-year plan of action aimed at preventing the escalation of drug abuse and illicit trafficking and at reducing the level of drug-related crime. The expected plan of action will outline a series of specific measures and their costs.

Presentations and discussions will outline the current situation in Russia concerning drug crime, trafficking and abuse, and measures currently being taken to address the situation. These include developments in national drug control legislation, law enforcement efforts and capabilities, extent of illicit crops, measures already taken and those needed adequately to address money laundering and to reduce drug abuse.

Participants will also address the new alliances being forged by international drug cartels, particularly the movement of Russian mobsters into eastern and central Europe, and an influx of cartels from other countries, including Colombia and Nigeria, into Russia.

The Conference will take place at the President Hotel, in Moscow, tel: (7095) 2393800; fax: 2302318.

Applications for media accreditation should be sent to UNIS Vienna, fax: (43-1) 21345-5899. Press badges will be issued on 15 and 16 April at the Conference site.

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