TOP COP BACKS NEW DOPE LAW

OTTAWA -- Canada's top cop is endorsing federal legislation, expected as
early as tomorrow, to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana for personal
use.

RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli emphasized, however, that any
proposed legislation to ease the country's pot laws must be accompanied by
"a comprehensive national drug strategy.

"What we are talking about here is decriminalizing very small amounts, if
that's what's in the legislation. We still believe we need the discretion
as police officers, in rare cases, to lay criminal charges against
possessors of very small amounts. But ... we believe that we don't want to
make criminals out of persons who have very small amounts of marijuana for
their own possession," said Zaccardelli in an interview on CTV's Question
Period.

Border Delays

The Chretien government had originally planned to table the legislation in
the Commons earlier this month, but put it on hold just hours after Justice
Minister Martin Cauchon met with his U.S. counterpart in Washington.

U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci warned earlier that much stricter American
drug laws could result in delays for Canadians crossing the border.

Commissioner Zaccardelli acknowledged U.S. concerns and said he has had
discussions with American law enforcement officials.

"This is an issue with them. We have expressed our views to them. But, if
we have a comprehensive package, it will not harm the work that we do and
the relationship with the Americans, in my view."

Zaccardelli also denied lingering allegations of political interference in
Mountie investigations. The issue returned last month when the RCMP
announced a case against former PM Brian Mulroney had been closed.