US DRUG CZAR TRIES TO SOOTHE DUTCH

VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- 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 fact-finding tour of
Europe.

But the tour 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.

On Thursday, McCaffrey told CNN's "Talkback Live" that the policy was an
"unmitigated disaster" that had contributed to crime in the Netherlands.

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, 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."

Asked about his criticism of the Dutch, McCaffrey told a press conference
that "we believe a frank exchange of views among friends is most
productive."

"We have a high respect for the Dutch."

McCaffrey arrives in the Netherlands on Thursday after a visit Wednesday to
Switzerland. The Swiss have a controversial program of state distribution
of small amounts of heroin and other hard drugs for selected addicts under
strict medical supervision.

McCaffrey said he looks forward to his visit to the Netherlands. His
spokesman said McCaffrey would take a "hard but objective" look at the
Dutch program.

McCaffrey's trip is aimed at underscoring the need for international
cooperation in combating drugs and to examine European treatment and
prevention programs.

McCaffrey arrived in Austria from Sweden. He is also to visit Portugal and
England on the tour.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)