U.S. LOSES SEAT ON U.N. DRUG POLICY

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - In another embarrassing blow, the United States lost
its seat on an international drug monitoring body on the same day it was
voted off the U.N. Human Rights Commission, U.N. and U.S. officials
confirmed Monday.

The United States had campaigned for a third term for U.S. Ambassador
Herbert Okun, who has served as vice president on the International
Narcotics Control Board. But he was voted off Thursday in the same
secret-ballot procedure and by the same countries that cost the United
States it's seat on the human rights commission.

"That, we find, very regrettable," U.S. State Department spokesman Richard
Boucher said in Washington on Monday. "We intend to continue our engagement
on the international narcotics issues. We'll continue our cooperation with
and strong support for the U.N. international drug control program as well
as with the International Narcotics Control Board."

The 13-member International Narcotics Control Board monitors compliance
with U.N. drug conventions on substance abuse and illegal trafficking.

The 54-member U.N. Economic and Social Council, the main U.N. body
responsible for economic and social issues, cast secret ballots in both
votes Thursday.

The 70-year-old Okun served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
(news - web sites) between 1985-1989 and has been on the narcotics board
since 1997.

The board deals with aspects of legal and illegal drug control, including
monitoring government controls over chemicals used in the illicit
manufacture of drugs. It also assists in preventing the diversion of those
chemicals into illicit traffic and identifies weaknesses in drug control
systems.