BIG TALK BUT LITTLE CASH FOR DRUG WAR

WORLD leaders came together yesterday to endorse UN draft proposals
for a global drug strategy aimed at curbing demand by 218 million
addicts and eradicating illegal production.

US President Bill Clinton and the other leaders of the main consumer
States, as well as those of drug producing countries, attending a UN
drug summit in New York called for a global partnership to stamp out
drug abuse and illicit production in 10 years.

The UN draft declaration was to be adopted at the end of the three-day
drug summit attended by officials from some 150 States, including more
than 30 heads of State and government.

But industrialised countries failed to announce any new money for the
UN in its proposed 10-year fight against illicit drugs, while some
developing countries called for additional funds from the
international community. And non-government organisations complained
that the UN was adopting repressive US policies that had not worked in
the US.

"It is time for every nation to say 'No' to drugs," said UN chief Kofi
Annan as he outlined the UN draft strategy.

Mr Clinton said: "Today we come here to say: no nation is so large and
powerful that it can conquer drugs alone. None is too small to make a
difference. All share a responsibility to take up the battle."

Mr Clinton also called for an end to the sterile debate between the
developing world and industrialised countries on who is to blame for
the multi-billion-dollar illicit drug industry.

Most speakers stressed that for the first time, North and South
America were united in calling for a global drugs control policy, with
shared responsibilities. But Colombian President Ernesto Samper
launched a bitter attack on US policies.

"Because of drugs, we have been condemned and victimised with the
application of unilateral measures that, as with all intervention
measures that offend our sovereignty, must be buried forever," he said.

Mr Samper, whose country is the world's leading cocaine producer, is
accused by Washington of partly financing his last electoral campaign
with money from drug traffickers.

Mexico, which is smarting from a money-laundering "sting" operation by
US drug agents on its territory, also insisted on a "balanced
strategy" that would respect nations' sovereignty.

The special session is to endorse an unprecedented commitment to
drastically reduce drug demand worldwide by the year 2008. The program
also sets a 10-year deadline to eliminate or significantly reduce
illicit cultivation of the coca bush, the opium poppy and the cannabis
plant, by helping farmers to develop substitute crops.

The UN plans call for a fight against money-laundering, reducing the
production of amphetamines and chemical precursors and increasing
judicial co-operation.

Mr Clinton announced yesterday that the US planned to divert $US2
billion ($3.36 billion) into preventing its youths from using drugs,
as part of an extended drug-control program.

Asked why the US was not contributing funds to the UN program, his
drug adviser Barry McCaffrey replied: "It is premature to talk about a
funding package."

Mr McCaffrey stressed that the current session would focus on
"building a political consensus."

Non-government organisations are sceptical about the UN strategy,
which they say reflects failed US enforcement policies.

A total of 500 prominent experts signed a petition to Mr Annan,
published by the New York Times yesterday, calling on the UN chief
hold an "open and honest dialogue" to change the focus of UN drugs
policy.

Checked-by: (trikydik)