DEADLOCK MUST BE BROKEN BETWEEN NUMEROUS MANDATES, LIMITED FINANCING, DIRECTOR OF NEW DRUG OFFICE TELLS THIRD COMMITTEE

23 October 1997

Press Release
GA/SHC/3422

DEADLOCK MUST BE BROKEN BETWEEN NUMEROUS MANDATES, LIMITED FINANCING, DIRECTOR OF NEW DRUG OFFICE TELLS THIRD COMMITTEE

19971023 Describes Need for Resources, Attempt to Reduce Reliance on Regular Budget; Other Speakers Address Special Session, Threat of International Drug Cartels

The Executive Director of the newly established Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this afternoon that one of the main challenges facing the new Office was how to break the deadlock between the large number of mandates and a very small financial base.

Under-Secretary-General Pino Arlacchi, addressing the Committee as it began its consideration of the crime prevention and criminal justice and international drug control, said that both the Centre for International Crime Prevention and the International Drug Control Programme, which formed part of his Office, were in need of more resources to respond to Member States' requests. At the same time, he said there would be an attempt to reduce dependence on the United Nations regular budget by calling on governments to provide loan personnel. In addition, a fund-raising strategy would be drawn up to increase voluntary contributions to the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund.

On the 1998 special session of the General Assembly on international drug control, he said it would be a landmark event for the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and the international community. Of utmost significance would be the political declaration that Member States would adopt to reassert their strong commitment to drug control as a priority at both the national and international levels. At the same time, Member States should ensure that the UNDCP was provided with the necessary human and financial resources.

The representative of Tunisia, speaking as Chairman of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, said United Nations work in crime prevention and drug control should be viewed in the context of the global nature of crime. Crime had a serious impact on developing countries, especially where circumstances were hindering development and the establishment of democratic foundations. Expanded, intensified cooperation

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among countries -- and between them and the United Nations Programme -- would lead to efficient security and justice systems in a climate of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Speaking on behalf of the 14-member Southern African Development Community (SADC), the representative of Swaziland said international cooperation was a meaningful response to the threats posed by international crime. Continued efforts should be made by all countries to implement the provisions of the Naples Political Declaration and Global Programme of Action by taking the most appropriate legislative, regulatory and administrative measures. He appealed to all African countries to shoulder their responsibility towards the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, which lacked the resources to perform as a regional institution.

The representative of the United States said international drug cartels were increasingly becoming an international security threat. "Sheer firepower and size of armies are no longer the primary measure of power." International criminal organizations, led by the drug trade, had access to money on an unprecedented scale, which made international criminals a unique security threat, as they manipulated democratic governments to serve their own purposes. A new security strategy was needed to move against the threats of the new global era and secure and strengthen the gains of democracy and free markets.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union and others, the representative of Luxembourg said the stability of governments and civil society were threatened by drugs in both industrialized and developing countries. That threat could be overcome only by cooperative efforts at the international level, such as by strengthening national economies against the threats of drug trafficking.

Speaking on behalf of the Rio Group, the representative of Paraguay said the promotion of alternative development programmes deserved special mention. It was necessary to strengthen international cooperation to meet the needs of communities involved in illicit cultivation. Programmes and projects to guarantee better living conditions and which generated viable and sustainable economic activities were needed.

Statements were also made by the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Nepal and Japan. Following the statement by Under-Secretary-General Arlacchi, Committee members held a dialogue with the Executive Director.

The Third Committee will met again at 10 a.m. Friday, 24 October, to continue its consideration of crime prevention and criminal justice and international drug control.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to begin consideration of issues related to crime prevention and criminal justice and international drug control. The Committee had before it the relevant sections of the report of the Economic and Social Council, reports of the Secretary-General and five draft resolutions.

On crime prevention and criminal justice, the Committee will consider the Secretary-General's reports on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme and the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders.

In addition, the Committee also had before it the following five draft resolutions the Economic and Social Council recommended to the Assembly for approval: follow-up to the Naples Political Declaration and Global Action Plan against Organized Transnational Crime; preparations for the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders; crime prevention and criminal justice measures to eliminate violence against women; international cooperation against corruption and bribery in international commercial transactions; and international cooperation in criminal matters.

Also before the Committee is a letter from the Permanent Representative of Austria containing a draft of an international agreement against illegal migrants.

On international drug control, the Committee will take up two reports of the Secretary-General. One concerns implementation of the Global Programme of Action relating to international drug control and a note by the Secretary- General transmitting a report on preparations for the special General Assembly session to be held in 1998 on the question of narcotic drugs. The other is a report of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs acting as preparatory body for the Assembly's special session to consider the fight against the illicit production, sale, demand, traffic and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and related activities.

The Committee also had before it two letters: one from the Permanent Representative of Cambodia transmitting a letter from the First Prime Minister of Cambodia regarding illicit drug trafficking in Cambodia; and the other, from the Permanent Representative of the Marshall Islands transmitting the communiqué of the twenty-eighth South Pacific Forum, held at Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from 17 to 19 September.

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Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

The Secretary-General's report on implementing General Assembly resolution 51/63 (document A/52/295) on strengthening of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, particularly its technical cooperation capacity, states that the past year has witnessed a major expansion of the Programme's activity. There has been a quantum leap in the capacity to develop and execute projects as a result of an increase in human resources and in the number of technical assistance missions carried out by two interregional advisers at the request of developing countries, countries with economies in transition and others recovering from conflicts.

Despite those developments, and even though crime prevention has been identified as one of the Organization's priorities in the 1998-2001 medium-term plan, the resources for the Programme remain grossly inadequate, the report states. The active support of Member States and funding agencies is critical to ensure that the priority accorded to the Programme is also reflected in its strengthened capacity to discharge its tasks. The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice System, at its sixth session in Vienna in April/May, therefore called upon donor countries and international funding agencies to make significant and regular financial and/or other contributions for the formulation, coordination and implementation of technical assistance projects elaborated within the framework of the Programme.

In addition, the Commission has actively taken up the issue of resource mobilization. An informal consultative group, set up in 1996 to mobilize resources and coordinate activities in the area of technical assistance, has recommended specific approaches for resource mobilization and agreed on the need for Commission members to take a more active role therein. In July, an Economic and Social Council resolution on the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme called upon Member States to review the projects contained in a compendium of technical cooperation projects submitted by the group with a view to providing for their funding. Member States were also called on to contribute to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund to cover the cost of two Professional staff members, consultants and other support required for developing and administering the Programme's technical cooperation component and for developing essential training tools. The Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division was requested to continue its resource mobilization efforts.

According to the report, resource mobilization efforts have elicited some generous voluntary contributions from several governments. However, it is hoped that more donors will follow their example. A compendium of project proposals issued by the Division of Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice contains some possibilities for consideration by donor countries.

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The United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund, set up in 1967, has continued to be an important tool in enlisting Member States' support for technical cooperation activities that cannot be financed by the regular budget of the United Nations, but its assets are limited, as is the number of contributors to it. Activities financed through contributions to the Fund include a firearm regulation project; a study on extradition; a training seminar on juvenile justice in Burkina Faso; advisory services to Romania; elaboration of the global report on crime and justice; and reprinting of the Compendium of United Nations Standards and Norms in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

In the 1996-1997 biennium, the following contributions have been made to the Fund: Italy, $334,000; United States, $225,000; Japan, $200,000; France, $100,000; Asia Crime Prevention Foundation, $50,000; Turkey, $35,000; and amounts under $25,000 from Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, China, Cuba, India, Malta, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Thailand and Tunisia.

On programme activities of the Division of Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the report notes that the Economic and Social Council has recommended that the Assembly adopt a draft resolution on preparations for the Tenth Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, to be held in the year 2000. These substantive topics were proposed for inclusion in the Congress' provisional agenda: promoting the rule of law and strengthening criminal justice systems; international cooperation in combating transnational crime -- new challenges in the twenty-first century; effective crime prevention -- keeping pace with new developments; and offenders and victims -- accountability and fairness in the justice process.

Other draft resolutions that the Council recommended for adoption by the Assembly are on issues related to international cooperation against corruption and bribery in international commercial transactions; preparing a guide on the development and analysis of criminal justice statistics; adopting the Model Strategies and Practical Measures on the Elimination of Violence against Women in the Field of Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice; and establishing an intergovernmental group of experts to elaborate a draft of an international convention against organized transnational crime, including special provisions related to specific types of crime, such as trafficking in children.

Other draft resolutions to be presented to the Assembly focus on national promotion of the use and application of United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice; and on the proposals to prepare a manual and handbook on the use and application of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power.

In recognition of the importance of the crime prevention and criminal justice programme, the Secretary-General's programme for reform proposes that Vienna would become the locus for United Nations efforts against crime, drugs

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and terrorism. The Division for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice will be restructured as the Centre for International Crime Prevention and, together with the United Nations International Drug Control Programme, will form a new Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention. Proposals will be submitted to Member States to strengthen the Centre's capacities, according to the report.

The Secretary-General's report on activities and situation of the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (document A/52/327) reaffirms the Institute's uniqueness as a regional institution for fostering collaboration in preventing crime and bringing about criminal justice in Africa. It also outlines the wide political support the Institute enjoys among African States, from the Organization of African Unity and from the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice network, even as it documents the Institute's financial plight.

The report describes the work of the Institute since becoming operational in 1991. The Institute's programme of work for 1996-1997 comprises general management, training and human resource development, comparative research and policy development, information and documentation services, advisory services to governments and technical cooperation, international cooperation and joint activities, conferences and seminars.

However, despite the wide recognition of the Institute's work, the outstanding balance of unpaid assessed contributions to its operation amounts to over 85 per cent of expected collections. The report describes economic measures which have been taken and notes that, even so, the Institute is focusing on numerous action-oriented work programme elements comprising research through cooperative participation, as documented in the report. It is continuing to develop a study on resettlement of street children, part of a larger youth crime prevention initiative addressing the escalating problem of urban youth crime, illicit drug abuse and violence, among many others.

Financial cuts in the Institute's programmes are feared to have negative long-term consequences, and the report notes that increased transnational criminal activities leave many African countries dealing with a growing crime rate at the same time that they lack institutional capacity and resources to implement effective counteractive measures. To provide the Institute with adequate funds during 1998-1999, as requested by the General Assembly, the Secretary-General proposes continuance of funding within the overall appropriation of the United Nations programme budget and from extra budgetary sources as was done in the previous period.

By terms of a draft resolution on follow-up to the Naples Political Declaration and Global Action Plan against Organized Transnational Crime (document A/C.3/52/L.4), the General Assembly would decide to establish an inter-sessional open-ended intergovernmental group of experts to elaborate a preliminary draft of a comprehensive international convention against

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organized transnational crime for presentation to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its seventh session. The Assembly would welcome the Government of Poland's offer to organize and host the meeting. It would also request the Secretary-General to provide resources for the meeting and for the Commission to report on progress at the Assembly's fifty-third session.

When elaborating the preliminary draft of the convention, the expert group would be requested, by terms of the draft resolution, to take into account existing multilateral instruments, including the draft United Nations framework convention against organized crime presented by the Government of Poland at the Assembly's fifty-first session. The expert group would also be requested to take into account recommendations, observations and proposals already existing and contained in annexes to the draft proposal, giving priority consideration to measures for judicial and police cooperation in such areas as mutual assistance, extradition, confiscation of illicit assets and various forms of technical assistance.

The draft would urge States to implement the Naples Declaration and Global Action Plan, and it would request the Commission to continue its review as a matter of highest priority. It would request the Secretary-General to continue work on the central repository to increase and make available information to States, as well as to provide advisory services to States and to consider State data in developing model legislation and technical manuals for law enforcement and judicial personnel and for agencies involved in preventive activities.

Annexes to the draft resolution contain various recommendations of the senior experts group, including those for combating transnational organized crime by supplementation of existing multilateral conventions or adoption of new conventions.

The draft text on preparations for the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (document A/C.3/52/L.5) is recommended to the Assembly for adoption. By its terms, the Assembly would decide that the Tenth Congress should be held in the year 2000 and that the following topics should be included in its provisional agenda: promoting the rule of law and strengthening the criminal justice system; international cooperation in combating transnational crime -- new challenges in the twenty-first century; effective crime preventions -- keeping pace with new development; and offenders and victims -- accountability and fairness in the justice process.

The Assembly would also decide that four workshops on the following issues should be held within the framework of the Tenth Congress: combating corruption; crimes related to the computer network; community involvement in crime prevention; and women in the criminal justice system. It would welcome the offer by the Government of South Africa to host the Tenth Congress and

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also note with appreciation the statement of the Austrian Government that, if consensus could be reached and questions of timing could be resolved, it would be honoured to host the Tenth Congress in Vienna. Member States would be invited to be represented at the Tenth Congress at a high political level, for example by heads of State, government ministers and attorneys-general.

By the draft text, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to provide the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division, as the secretariat of the Tenth Congress, with the necessary resources from the 1998-1999 budget to undertake the preparatory activities, including organizing regional preparatory meetings.

By terms of a draft resolution on crime prevention and criminal justice measures to eliminate violence against women (document A/C.3/52/L.6), the Assembly would request the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to publish Strategies for Confronting Domestic Violence: A Resource Manual, in the other United Nations official languages besides the English in which it already appears. The Assembly would also adopt the Model Strategies and Practical Measures on the Elimination of Violence against Women in the Field of Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice as a model of guidelines for governments in addressing the various manifestations of violence against women. The draft would request the Secretary-General to disseminate and promote use of the Model Strategies and Practical Measures, requesting him to transmit them also to the relevant United Nations organizations and bodies, such as the Commission on the Status of Women, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the Commission on Human Rights, including the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, and to the Special Rapporteur on violence against women.

An annex to the proposed draft contains the text of the Model Strategies and Practical Measures, covering such aspects of eliminating violence against women as criminal law and procedure, police involvement, sentencing and corrections, victim support and assistance, health and social services, training, research and evaluation, preventive measures, and international cooperation. Recommendations as follow-up measures include the design of standard training programmes and manuals for police and criminal justice officials.

By terms of a draft resolution on international cooperation against corruption and bribery in international commercial transactions (document A/C.3/52/L.7), the General Assembly would request the Secretary-General to intensify technical assistance in combating corruption and to provide advisory services to Member States in this regard. It would urge Member States to provide the Secretariat with extrabudgetary funds for such technical assistance. By the draft, the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice would be requested to give attention to the question of bribery of public office holders of other States in international commercial transactions, and to review action by States to implement the 1996 United

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Nations Declaration against Corruption and Bribery in International Commercial Transactions.

Noting recent reports, such as that of the 1997 Expert Group Meeting on Corruption held in Buenos Aires, and welcoming recent developments such as conventions prohibiting foreign commercial bribery and tax deductibility of bribes paid to foreign public officials in international commercial transactions, the Assembly would, by the draft, urge Member States to implement declarations and ratify international instruments against corruption, to criminalize bribery of public office holders of other States and to engage in activities deterring bribery and corruption. The draft would request the Secretary-General to invite reports from Member States on national anti-corruption strategies and policies and on steps taken to implement provisions of the Declaration.

A draft resolution on international cooperation in criminal matters (document A/C.3/52/L.8) would request the Secretary-General to convene a meeting of an intergovernmental expert group to develop and promote mutual assistance in criminal matters. It would also request the Secretary-General to elaborate model legislation to assist Member States in giving effect to the Model Treaty on Extradition in line with recommendations of the Intergovernmental Expert Group on Extradition.

The draft would urge States to revise bilateral and multilateral law enforcement cooperation arrangements in order -- among other things -- to combat constantly changing methods in organized transnational crimes; to use the Model Treaty on Extradition as a basis for developing treaty relations at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels; and to continue acknowledging that protection of human rights should not be inconsistent with international cooperation in criminal matters. It would urge agencies to make voluntary contributions to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund.

The Secretary-General would be requested to disseminate information and promote exchanges between central authorities of Member States, particularly on extradition and about designees dealing with requests, and to promote meetings of such authorities on a regional basis. It also would request him to provide advisory and technical services in developing, negotiating and implementing bilateral, subregional, regional or international treaties on extradition. Finally, it would ask the Secretary-General to submit the present resolution and a report on the Intergovernmental Expert Group Meeting on Extradition to the Preparatory Committee on Establishment of an International Criminal Court.

A letter dated 16 September from the Permanent Representative of Austria (document A/52/357) transmits the draft of an international instrument against the smuggling of illegal migrants, prepared by Austrian legal experts taking into account comments of various international organizations and legal experts

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of various countries. The letter proposes that action to be taken under the aegis of the Commission urgently needed to be complemented by the elaboration of an appropriate international instrument ensuring that perpetrators as well as instigators and accomplices of transnational crime will be effectively brought to justice. The main features of such a legal instrument are outlined.

International Drug Control

In his progress report on implementing the 1990 global programme of action (document A/52/296) relating to international drug control, the Secretary-General states that during 1997 both the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Economic and Social Council adopted resolutions on themes of the global programme related to international drug control. The elements of drug control covered by these resolutions range from review of demand to implementation of comprehensive measures for control of illicit substances.

The report presents an overview of approaches and policies developed by States individually, in cooperation with international organizations and with each other at the bilateral, regional and international levels. Overall, the report indicates improvements in national demand reduction programmes but points to the need to complement national efforts with available bilateral and international assistance. This is particularly critical in the high priority areas of early prevention; training of personnel employed in treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of drug abusers; curtailing of international criminal activities associated with illicit drug trafficking such as the arms trade and terrorist activity; and measures to control smuggling.

To achieve progress in these high priority areas, the report calls for more detailed exchange of information at all levels to develop and intensify cooperation, both through law enforcement channels and through mutual legal assistance. The aim of these efforts is to fortify both external borders and internal controls against the flow of drug traffic.

Finally, the report summarizes activities undertaken by the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) in accordance with the United Nations Decade against Drug abuse, covering the years 1991-2000. These include a range of information activities aimed at nurturing a culture of opposition to drug abuse with initiatives aimed at civil society. The total revised budget of the UNDCP for the biennium 1996-1997 amounts to $157.7 million, of which 89.5 per cent is funded from voluntary contributions. While the regular funds mainly finance treaty implementation and legal affairs, the majority of the Fund's resources are for project activities in developing countries to enhance their ability to comply with treaty obligations and to cope with problems related to illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse.

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A note by the Secretary-General (document A/52/336) transmits a report on preparations for the special General Assembly session to be held in 1998 on the question of narcotic drugs. It covers proceedings of the first session held by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the preparatory body of the Economic and Social and Economic Council for the special session devoted to the fight against the illicit production, sale, demand, traffic and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The report gives details of the Council's consideration of the report. Two Commission draft decisions adopted by the Council are included in the Council's report to the Assembly.

The Committee also has before it a report from the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (document E/1997/48) containing the recommendations made during its March meeting in Vienna regarding preparations for the forthcoming special session of the General Assembly on strengthening international cooperation in addressing drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

As the preparatory body for the special session, the Commission recommended that the Assembly, through the Economic and Social Council, decide to hold the special session from 8 to 10 June 1998.

The Commission recommended that the Economic and Social Council approve the provisional agenda for its second meeting during which it would consider elements to be included in a draft political declaration and the draft declaration on the guiding principles of demand reduction. Under the provisional agenda, the Commission would also review the existing international drug control regime and the strengthening of United Nations machinery for drug control.

Also during its meeting, the Commission agreed that issues to be considered during the overall preparatory process would include the reaffirmation of governments' political commitment to international drug control. Also under consideration would be the adoption of the guiding principles on demand reduction and proposals for implementation. The Commission also agreed to review strategic measures to counter illicit manufacture of, traffic in and abuse of stimulants; to enhance the control and monitoring of precursors frequently used in the manufacture of illicit drugs. Other strategic measures would be considered to promote judicial cooperation, counter money-laundering and measures to eradicate illicit crops and alternative development.

The Commission decided to hold informal open-ended inter-sessional meetings from 7 to 9 July, from 7 to 9 October and on 5 December.

A letter to the Secretary-General from the Permanent Representative of Cambodia (document A/52/127) transmits a letter from the First Prime Minister regarding illicit drug trafficking in Cambodia. The communication requests assistance in combating recent serious events in Cambodia regarding illicit drug trafficking. In accordance with the principles of the Fund of the United

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Nations International Drug Control Programme established in 1992, the appeal is for financial, technical and advisory assistance, such as by monitoring activity in conjunction with advising on methods to integrate rural development and crop subsidization for the rural poor lured into the illegal industry. The assistance would come from an appropriate United Nations team who would work with Cambodian officials at all levels of government to combat what is described as becoming a grave threat to Cambodian society.

Statement by Executive Director

PINO ARLACCHI, Executive Director of the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, said the United Nations had found itself at a crossroads, in a far-reaching process of reform and revitalization. One of his goals since taking office had been to put into practice the reform proposals and make the United Nations in Vienna the driving force behind global efforts to combat drug trafficking, organized crime and international terrorism -- what the Secretary-General had called the "uncivil" elements of society. Drug trafficking, crime and terrorism were recognized priorities for governments.

The Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention was established to exploit the synergies between the activities undertaken by the UNDCP and the Centre for International Crime Prevention and provide strong leadership in tackling those acute problems, he said. The UNDCP and the Centre would continue to keep their separate identities and to operate from their respective resource bases. The designation of voluntary contributions would be respected.

The UNDCP's strategy, he continued, centred around the basic principle of a balanced approach between demand and supply reduction. The process would entail three directions: strengthening the legal framework; enhancing UNDCP's capacity as a global centre of expertise; and the operational organization. Within the legal framework, his office would assist governments in applying the provisions of the international drug control treaties, particularly the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

However, he added, Member States must make the conventions effective tools for countering the drug menace, by putting those provisions into practice. States must ensure, for example, that the Global Programme against Money Laundering fulfilled its role in assisting governments to adopt strategies to counter the problem. The political commitment of governments was essential in order to make progress in countering money laundering and ensuring the confiscation of assets derived from drug trafficking and organized criminal activities.

The UNDCP would be strengthened as the international expert in drug control matters, he said. At the operational level, the Programme would shift from a project to a programme approach and improve coordination within the

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United Nations, promote regional cooperation and continue an in-depth evaluation of the Programme's experience and lessons learned over the years. That would be pursued as part of a global feasibility study for supply reduction. The findings of that study would serve to guide the Programme's global strategy to eliminate worldwide the illicit cultivation of the coca bush and the opium poppy.

He said a landmark event for the UNDCP and the international community would be the 1998 special session of the General Assembly on international drug control. Of utmost significance would be the political declaration that Member States would adopt to reassert their strong commitment to drug control as a priority at both the national and international levels. Member States should not miss the opportunity to ensure that the UNDCP was provided with the necessary human and financial resources. One of the highlights of the special session would be the declaration on the guiding principles of demand reduction.

The new initiatives to enhance the operations of the UNDCP included having the country and regional offices assume responsibility and authority over each of the seven regional programmes, he continued. The measure would include the deployment of human resources from headquarters to strengthen the capacity in the field. In addition, he would propose the abolition of administrative layers, a decrease of senior positions and a cut in travel funds at headquarters by 25 per cent. Stressing that the Programme needed a stable, predictable financial base, he urged the Assembly to assist him in broadening the Programme's resource base.

Turning to crime prevention and criminal justice, he said one of his major challenges was how to meet the high expectations that had arisen from the Secretary-General's decision to reconstitute the Division for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice into the United Nations Centre for International Crime Prevention. The first challenge facing the Centre was the broad spectrum of mandates it had inherited. The second challenge was that while mandates grew, resources remained stable and dependent almost entirely on the United Nations regular budget.

The dilemma was how to break the deadlock between the large number of mandates and a very small financial base, he added. The following strategy would be pursued to enable the Centre to become a credible player in crime prevention and criminal justice. First, the work of the Centre must be based on focused priorities that were specific and achievable within given time- frames. In the short term, emphasis would be given to counter international organized crime, which posed one of the most significant threats to State security worldwide.

A global study on trafficking of human beings would be initiated to attempt to understand the extent and nature of the phenomenon, particularly the human rights elements and the criminal dimensions involved, he said.

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Trafficking in persons was one of the most dramatic and underestimated problems facing the international community. More than 200 million people were estimated to be subjected to what was defined as contemporary forms of slavery. An attempt would also be made to strengthen the Centre by optimizing the use of resources available to the United Nations in the field.

Stressing the need for additional resources, he said fundraising would be the third objective for the Centre. There would be an attempt to reduce dependence on the United Nations regular budget. As an example, governments would be invited to make available, as non-reimburseable loans, law enforcement specialists. Also, a fundraising strategy would be drawn up to increase voluntary contributions to the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund.

On the eve of the twenty-first century, he said, the international community must face its responsibility and define the legacy that was to be passed on to the next generation in the field of drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice. The security, safety and health of individuals, and society at large was at stake. "The threat is to all of us." In facing the global challenges, it must not be forgotten that solidarity between countries was not a question of generosity, but a reflection of collective responsibility and concrete interests.

Dialogue with Committee Members

The representative of Italy said the fight against drugs and drug trafficking was one of the biggest challenges of his Government. Italy was at the forefront of funding the Vienna Office, and Mr. Arlacchi's background in fighting crime made him the biggest resource Italy had given to the Office.

The representative of Turkey asked what would be the effect of legalizing drugs and how would terrorism be incorporated into the work of the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention?

The representative of Nigeria added that many drug traffickers had an invisible mafia and drug barons had big money. How would the new Office compete with such money? What would it do about countries that contributed little, but tended to dictate how the programme should operate?

The representative of Algeria said she supported the questions of Turkey.

The representative of Austria, the host country to the Office, welcomed the new Director-General and the reform measures of the United Nations system that had brought about the new Office. He asked, in light of the difficult financial situation, what were the chances of broadening the donor base? Also, he wanted to hear more about the positive effects of the new

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institutional set-up in Vienna. How would synergy be achieved without detracting from programmes?

The representative of Mexico said her country attached great importance to the upcoming special session on drugs and she wanted more information on preparations, particularly regarding resources to carry out activities.

Mr. ARLACCHI, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, said the question of how terrorism would be treated was complex. The new office was to combine crime and terrorism, but terrorism was already addressed in other United Nations forums. The main problem was the resource base. The Centre for Crime Prevention was a very small structure with few people and an almost insignificant fund. The Office had received a small additional resource and would use that for what could realistically be done in the field.

The Office would start with an analysis and a map of existing international treaties in the field, of which there were 12, he continued. Ratification of those was unequal, application was not satisfactory and few were translated into action. The resources would be used for a study of that condition before proceeding to new strategies. In the field of drugs and crime, it was not wise to expand the mandate, programme or strategy without a sufficient resource base. If Member States provided enough resources, then the Office would expand.

With regard to legalization, he said the mandate was clear. The international community had developed a big set of instruments based on the idea that production and trade of drugs must be controlled or forbidden. No State had legalized or abrogated its commitments under the conventions. The question was how to proceed into alternative strategies.

There was much data and experience that was not known to the public at large or to decision makers, he said. There was pessimism about drug control, with the public thinking efforts were useless and drug control was defeated. It was not a history of defeat, but success stories were not being made known to the public. He would work to change that perception. When drug control had been made a priority and resources made available, success had been achieved. In Pakistan, for example, the production of poppy had nearly been stopped. There had been success with Thailand as well. The legalization idea should be challenged with data, he said.

With regard to preparations for the special session and components of the new office, he said the preparations were going well. With regard to synergy, the new office combined the two fields of expertise, but each had its own budget and identity.

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Other Statements

MOHAMED FADHEL KHELIL (Tunisia), Chairman of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, said that despite the fact that the Commission was just six years old, its role as a policy-making organ in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice was growing every year. He outlined the Commission's work and that of associated United Nations bodies. He then commended the Government of Poland for its offer to host an intergovernmental expert group to elaborate a preliminary draft convention on implementation of the Naples Declaration on organized transnational crime.

The future work of the Commission and of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Juvenile Justice Programme was to be viewed in the context of challenges imposed by the global crime movement, he continued. The global nature of crime aroused concerns in all societies, because of its dangerously rising trends, the diversity of its methods and techniques, the expansion of its scope and the multiplicity of its tools, which caused insecurity and instability.

Crime had a serious impact on developing countries, he added. That was particularly true where circumstances were hindering development and the establishment of democratic foundations capable of protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. Expanded, intensified cooperation among countries -- and between them and the United Nations Programme -- would help develop efficient security and justice systems in a climate of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

BEATRICE KIRSCH (Luxembourg), speaking on behalf of the European Union and others, said the drug problem affected the whole international community. The development of synthetic drugs was particularly serious and the social factors at the root of the drug culture had to be considered, along with such related issues as money laundering. National economies must be strengthened to deal with the threats due to drug trafficking.

Recent European Union initiatives in the campaign against drugs included an early warning mechanism for new synthetic drugs, she said. Likewise, many cooperative ventures taken in accordance with the global plan of action included a number undertaken with Latin American and eastern European countries, in addition to an action programme in the Caribbean. However, the European Union was newly concerned with illicit opium trafficking in Afghanistan and Myanmar.

The Union welcomed national initiatives as part of larger programmes, she said. In that light, the upcoming special session on drug control was welcome. Combating drugs among young people should be an item for consideration. In addition, viable options for economic development, in order to achieve a reduction in illicit drugs and such activities as money laundering, should be explored. Active participation in the special session,

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especially of non-governmental organizations, was vital. The stability of governments and civil society were threatened due to drugs, in both industrialized and developing countries, and that threat could be overcome only by cooperative efforts at the international level.

Drug control, crime prevention and the fight against international terrorism were all priorities, she concluded. All efforts at managing those problems had to respect human rights. Thus, the cooperation with the Commission on Human Rights was welcome, particularly in such areas as the rehabilitation and social integration of those formerly involved with illicit drugs. A broadening of the donor base was also necessary.

SHIRLEY HALL (United States) said international drug cartels had become an international security threat. Governments now faced a more insidious threat -- international corruption manipulated by international criminals and powerful drug syndicates. "Sheer firepower and size of armies are no longer the primary measure of power", she said. "Money had taken their place." International criminal organizations, led by the drug trade, had access to money on an unprecedented scale. The major cocaine syndicates handled financial flows that were greater than the budgets of many of the countries in which they operated.

Access to wealth on that scale made international criminals a unique security threat, she said. They manipulated the machinery of democratic governments to serve their own purposes. A new security strategy was needed to move against the threats of the new global era. The gains of democracy and free markets had to be secured and strengthened. The United States had taken many steps towards controlling international crime, such as freezing the assets of the front companies of drug lords, revoking the visas of corrupt foreign officials and discussing ways of dealing with money laundering.

She said that in the United states an estimated 12.8 million Americans used illegal drugs. The current abuse rates represented a 50 per cent decline from the 1979 high of 25 million abusers. The major concern now was the increasing drug experimentation and use by young people. Other responses by the Government included shielding air, land and sea frontiers and destroying foreign sources of supply.

The United States was spending approximately $15 billion on anti-drug efforts, she said. Nearly one third of that was on demand reduction efforts, including on drug education and treatment. The 1997 national drug control strategy also stressed the importance of treatment and rehabilitation of criminal addicts. Some $2 billion per year was targeted to attack international sources of supply. Since 1993, the United States had increasingly focused on supporting the drug source countries that addressed the most critical drug threats. Bilateral cooperation had produced results that were unimaginable a few years ago. For example, several governments were now targeting the highest level traffickers, who had been personally

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responsible for the staggering levels of drug-related corruption and violence in their countries.

On the Crime Commission, she said it had played an important role in defining very specific international policy this year. Urging Member States to support the adoption of the five draft resolutions on crime, she said they would lead to a stronger array of tools to use for national and international efforts. It was important to act now to change the political, economic and social environment that allowed international crime to flourish. Collectively, Member States had the ability to deny criminals a secure operating environment; access to a legitimate economy and banking sector; and the ability to travel freely. If progress was made in those areas, the stranglehold on international criminals would be strengthened.

MOSES M. DLAMINI (Swaziland), speaking on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) -- Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe -- said the problems of crime threatened individuals and families, as well as the sustainable development of all countries. At the national level, crime was further exacerbated by the serious difficulties of addressing transnational crime, including organized crime, illicit drug and arms trafficking, trafficking in persons, terrorist crimes and money laundering.

International cooperation was a meaningful response to the threats posed by international crime, he said. Continued efforts should be made by all countries to implement the provisions of the Naples Political Declaration and Global Programme of Action by taking the most appropriate legislative, regulatory and administrative measures. He supported the elaboration of an international convention against organized crime to provide the basis for harmonization of national legislation.

On the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, he said it was regrettable that it lacked the resources to perform as a regional institution. He expressed gratitude to the United States for the financial resources it had committed to the Institute in 1997, to execute a project on African extradition laws and mutual assistance. Reaffirming the importance of the need for adequate funds to cover the Institute's programmes, he said it would be beneficial if all African countries would assume their responsibility towards the Institute, including paying the annual assessed financial contributions.

On crime prevention and criminal justice in his subregion, he said the Community had entered an agreement on 1 October at a meeting in Harare to contribute to peace, security and prosperity through the combating of crime. The Community had agreed to cooperate on such areas as: the exchange of crime-related information; planning and execution of joint operations; and 1- cooperation in border control and crime prevention. Other areas of cooperation included: regional police chiefs; judicial cooperation; measures

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to combat money laundering; the harmonization of legislation in arms and ammunition; explosives and vehicle theft; and robbery. Technical and financial assistance would be required to accomplish all the goals related to such cooperation.

The Community supported the Secretary-General's reform of the areas of crime prevention and international drugs control, he said. The new Office would enhance the organization's capacity to address the inter-related issues of drug control and transnational crime. However, strengthening the Office meant an increase in human and financial resources.

BERNARDINO HUGO SAGUIER CABALLERO (Paraguay) spoke on behalf of the Rio Group (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Honduras and Guyana). He said the promotion of alternative development programmes deserved special mention. It was necessary to strengthen international cooperation to meet the needs of communities involved in illicit cultivation. Programmes and projects to guarantee better living conditions and which generated viable and sustainable economic activities were needed. In addition to adapting such programmes to the realities and characteristics of each country, bilateral and multilateral sources must increase their funding of such programmes and projects.

Drugs were one of the greatest threats to mankind, involving the entire world community and linking all other crimes, he said. It was a phenomenon that crossed borders to touch all countries, in greater or lesser ways, by provoking instability and violence. The problem of the illicit demand for drugs should not be ignored and the internationl anti-drug strategies should be analysed from a demand reduction perspective.

KHENTHONG NUANTHASING (Lao People's Democratic Republic) said that, as a producing and transit country, his country rendered full cooperation to efforts in drug control. It cooperated with the UNDCP and with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as with other countries, both within and outside the region. Even so, and despite progress, the task remained formidable, particularly the eradication of the cultivation of the opium poppy.

The Lao Government's Drug Control Master Plan focused on such components as elimination of both cultivation and trafficking, he said. The Master Plan listed 16 projects, most of which needed assistance from external donors to be implemented. Four of those projects were still in need of donors. Even so, the country had made great strides, particularly through its officers in the counter-narcotic units, who were new to the field, but committed to fulfilling their task.

PANNA KAJI AMATYA (Nepal) said the threat from organized international crime, in particular illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, would become more complicated as time progressed. The

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international community could not for a moment slacken its campaign against those lethal threats, which had the potential to immerse the entire world in violence and possible wars. Resources available to the programmes on crime prevention seemed to be grossly inadequate. In addition, the United Nations financial crisis appeared to have had a negative impact on those programmes, despite of the understanding within the international community of the terrible consequences of inaction towards crime prevention and criminal justice.

He said the Secretary-General had responded to the wishes of Member States by proposing to bolster international efforts to combat crime, drug trafficking and terrorism through the creation of an Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention in Vienna. It was now up to the international community to take appropriate action in a timely manner to enable the Secretary-General to fulfil his mandate. All Member States, particularly the donor community and funding agencies, should ensure financial support to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations system in crime prevention and criminal justice.

Continuing, he said it was important to further discuss the computerization of criminal justice operations and the use of crime and criminal justice information, as well as the use and application of United Nations Standards and Norms in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Noting that non-governmental organizations and civil society had played an important role in the activities of the United Nations Decade against Drug Abuse (1991-2000), he expressed the hope that they would be more involved in the crusade against drug trafficking. It was important to train the personnel employed in the treatment, rehabilitation and social integration of drug abusers, while keeping a check on illicit production, manufacture and trafficking. That would only be possible with the full cooperation at the multilateral level.

FUMIKO SAIGA (Japan) said the international community had to take a united stand on crime and drugs, an area in which his Government was actively promoting global cooperation. In the field of crime prevention, for example, Japan had, in cooperation with the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division, implemented a study on firearm regulations. It was the first of its kind to describe, in an objective and neutral manner, the levels of firearm-related harm and the national and international efforts to regulate firearms.

Likewise, he commended the increase in technical cooperation and advisory services given under the Programme to developing countries, countries with economies in transition, and countries in post-conflict situations. His Government would continue to support all programme efforts through financial contributions. But, faced with its financial realities, the Division had to establish priorities and his Government would make recommendations to that end.

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With the problems of drug abuse and illicit trafficking growing increasingly serious, despite international effort, he stressed the significance of demand reduction. Without progress in that area, he said, drugs would continue to flow through loopholes in existing legal systems, or in the form of new drugs replacing those most strictly regulated. Finally, no organization as valuable as the UNDCP should be beholden to a handful of donor countries. He, therefore, urged all Member States to recognize ownership in the UNDCP and provide greater financial support.

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