JA ON DRUG SMUGGLING BLACKLIST

UNITED STATES President George W. Bush has listed Jamaica among 24
countries identified as chiefly responsible for the producing and
trans-shipping of illicit drugs into the U.S.

The other Caribbean nations making the list were Bahamas, Haiti and The
Dominican Republic. Twenty-four nations make up what is called the 'Majors
List'.

In his annual report to Congress, released yesterday by the U.S. Embassy
here in Kingston, Mr. Bush said the U.S. and Canada were the countries
mainly targeted by the international drug barons.

Jamaica the Preferred Trans-Shipment Point

"We continue to work closely with the Government of Canada to stem the flow
of illicit drugs to our countries and across our common borders."

The report cites Jamaica as the preferred Caribbean trans-shipment point
for South American cocaine en route to the United States and the largest
Caribbean producer and exporter of cannabis.

But, while acknowledging that the Jamaican Government has been co-operating
fully with U.S. authorities to stem the flow of illicit drugs, the report
cited areas where improvements were necessary.

"The Government of Jamaica has taken steps to protect itself against drug
trafficking and other types of organised crime. However, the Government of
Jamaica needs to intensify its law enforcement efforts and enhance
international co-operation," the report stated.

"Corruption continues to undermine law enforcement and judicial efforts
against drug-related crime and is a major barrier to more effective
counternarcotics action."

The report also noted that while the Government has a policy of
investigating credible reports of public corruption, Jamaica "has not
prosecuted any senior Government officials for drug-related activities."