ITALY TO GRANT SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT UN FIGHT AGAINST ILLICIT DRUGS
Press Release
SOC/NAR/790
ITALY TO GRANT SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT UN FIGHT AGAINST ILLICIT DRUGS
19981211 VIENNA, 11 December (UN Information Service) -- Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Sergio Mattarella stated today in Vienna that his Government intends to grant an extraordinary contribution to the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), in support of its fight against illicit drugs."The Italian Government, which is already the largest donor to the UNDCP, will grant an extraordinary contribution to the Programme for the next biennium, in an amount to be determined in the coming months" stated the Deputy Prime Minister. "This decision by the Italian Government is in recognition of the efforts of the Programme in the fight against the scourge of illicit drugs and as a sign of appreciation for the work of its Executive Director", added Mr. Mattarella.
The Italian Parliament, taking note of the consensus among Member States which had emerged at the United Nations General Assembly special session on drug control, had unanimously approved in October a resolution granting a special contribution to the UNDCP in support of several of its programmes.
Three business plans for alternative development in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia, the monitoring of illicit cultivation and a programme to assist countries in need to assess the extent of demand for illicit drugs, were specifically identified as projects of particular importance within the overall framework of the UNDCP's activities.
"I can only express my great satisfaction for this important sign of recognition of the United Nations leading role and commitment in the field of drug control", said the UNDCP's Executive Director, Pino Arlacchi. "It is my sincere hope that other donor countries will follow the example given by Italy."
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