FORMER DRUG CHIEF PROPOSES CUBA, U.S. COOPERATION

WASHINGTON -- Saying he never saw evidence that the Cuban government was
involved in drug trafficking, the former director of drug policy, Barry
McCaffrey, proposed Tuesday that the United States dramatically expand
cooperative law enforcement with Cuba to curb the flow of narcotics through
the Caribbean.

McCaffrey, who served as national drug policy director under former
President Bill Clinton, told an audience of government officials and
academics at Georgetown University that the Drug Enforcement Agency should
train Cuban anti-drug agents.

He also said this country should fund treatment and prevention programs in
Cuba to avoid a future drug epidemic on the island.

In addition, McCaffrey, who no longer holds a government post, suggested
having law enforcement officials from the two countries stationed in the
respective Interests Sections in Havana and Washington. McCaffrey's ideas
would add a significant new dimension to the delicate U.S.-Cuban
relationship. The rival nations, adversaries for nearly four decades, have
been quietly cooperating on drug enforcement and immigration matters for
several years, even while sniping at each other at every turn.

McCaffrey's suggestions would throw this cooperation into the open, much to
the dismay of those who fear any association with the communist government.

McCaffrey, a no-nonsense, four-star general and veteran of Vietnam, made it
clear at the beginning of his speech that his anti-communist credentials
were not open for discussion.

But still his assertion that Cuba's government is not involved in drug
dealing drew strong opposition.