Posted at 7:56 p.m. PDT Tuesday, 14 July 1998

U.S. DRUG CZAR SEEKS TO CALM DUTCH ANGER OVER REMARKS

VIENNA, Austria -- U.S. drug czar Barry R. McCaffrey sought Tuesday to
ease Dutch anger over his criticism of the Netherlands' permissive
drug laws, saying he has ``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 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 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 M. 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.

On Tuesday, McCaffrey's spokesman, Robert Housman, issued a statement
that expressed concern the Dutch government was being ``pulled into an
internal political debate'' in the United States by those who support
decriminalizing drugs.

``These legalizers put American children at risk,'' the statement
said. ``The Dutch government should be renouncing them, not siding
with them ... Every nation is free to set their own policies
domestically. However, other nations must respect the sovereignty of
others and be keenly aware of the impacts of their policies on the
global community.''

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.

In Washington, State Department spokesman James P. Rubin said the
United States highly values Dutch anti-narcotics cooperation in
Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

While acknowledging some differences of opinion on domestic drug
policies, Rubin said U.S.-Dutch ``coordination and shared goals
overshadow any differences of emphasis we may have.''

Asked about his criticism of the Dutch, McCaffrey told reporters
Tuesday that ``a frank exchange of views among friends is most
productive.''

``We have a high respect for the Dutch,'' he added.

McCaffrey arrives in the Netherlands on Thursday from Switzerland. The
Swiss have a controversial program in which the state distributes
small amounts of heroin and other hard drugs to selected addicts under
strict medical supervision.

With this trip, McCaffrey also hopes to improve international
cooperation in combating drugs. He has already visited Austria and
Sweden, and is scheduled to travel later to Portugal and England.

Checked-by: "Rich O'Grady"