ANTIDRUG FORCE

Panama Accord Important Step Against Narcotraffickers

Trafficking in illegal drugs is a multinational business and it will take a
multinational effort to stamp out the drug trade and imprison its bosses.

So it is encouraging that an agreement has been reached, at least in
principle, to establish a multinational antidrug center in Panama, an
ideal location to monitor an area through which much dope passes on its way
from Colombia to the United States.

U.S. forces are scheduled to leave Panama when this country turns full
control of the Panama Canal over to the Panamanians Dec. 31, 1999.

But the antidrug force agreement, if completed as expected, will enable
some U.S. military forces to remain in Panama to assist in the
international war against drug trafficking.

Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, who has worked to soothe highly sensitive
Latin American feelings against American criticisms of their efforts
against drug trafficking while stressing the need for more effective
antidrug educational programs in the United States, says creation the of
the multinational drug force in Panama will substantially increase
cooperation and coordination among various countries engaged in the war
against drug traffickers.

Illegal drugs are a scourge on all nations, destroying a generation of
young American users, while corrupting law enforcement and politicians in
Latin American countries from Mexico to Colombia.

International cooperation and sacrifice must be utilized to save the
hemisphere.