DUTCH DISTURBED BY U.S. REMARKS ON LAX DRUG LAWS

U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffrey sought Tuesday to ease Dutch anger over his
criticism of the Netherlands' permissive drug laws, saying he had ``high
respect'' for the country despite differences over narcotics policy.
McCaffrey, a retired general, visited the headquarters of the U.N. Drug
Control Program in Vienna, Austria, as part of an eight-day tour to examine
European drug-treatment and prevention programs.

But the visit has been overshadowed by McCaffrey's strong criticism of the
Dutch policy of allowing citizens to use marijuana and other drugs for
therapeutic and recreational purposes.

Last week, McCaffrey told CNN that the Dutch policy was an ``unmitigated
disaster'' that had contributed to crime in the Netherlands -- comments
that prompted a sharp response from the Netherlands' ambassador to the
United States, Joris Vos.

``I find the timing of your remarks, six days before your planned visit to
the Netherlands with a view to gaining firsthand knowledge'' of Dutch drug
policies, ``rather astonishing,'' Vos wrote McCaffrey. Tuesday, McCaffrey's
press secretary, Robert Housman, issued a statement that expressed concern
that the Dutch government was being ``pulled into an internal political
debate'' in the United States by those who support decriminalizing drugs.
Three hours later, Housman telephoned news agencies to say the statement
``no longer stands'' because it did not reflect McCaffrey's views.

He gave no further explanation.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)