C.I.A., Drugs and Denial

To the Editor:

The couched denial by John M. Deutch, the former Director of Central
Intelligence, of C.I.A. involvement in drug dealing (OpEd, May 18) is
plausible.

And as we know, that is all that is required of it.

Still, certain realities remain obvious. The United States is the leading
importer of illicit drugs, which constitute one of the biggest cash
commodities in world trade. It is not conceivable that this trade could
flourish without some accommodation in government and finance.

It is also obvious that a policy aimed at discouraging drug use would be
far different from the one we have. On the other hand, a policy designed to
maximize drug profits would be just like the one we have. Plausible denials
do nothing to diminish the evidence.

PETER KARMAN Rockfall, Conn., May 19, 1997

Copyright 1997 The New York Times Company