CRIME AND DRUGS DISCUSSED AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000879 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR INL, IO/T; WHITE HOUSE FOR ONDCP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR UNGA XF XR XC SUBJECT: CRIME AND DRUGS DISCUSSED AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ¶1. (U) Summary: In an Oct.10-11 discussion in the "crime and drugs" segment of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly (agenda items 106 and 107),speakers outlined current problems and their individual advances in combating crime, corruption and drug trafficking and abuse. Speaking for the United States, INL DAS Christy McCampbell praised advances in Colombia, Mexico and Afghanistan, but stressed the need for intensifying efforts to eradicate opium production in Afghanistan. She also expressed concern over coca cultivation in the Andean region and increased trafficking of methamphetamines and controlled pharmaceuticals.(DAS McCampbell's statement is available at WWW.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/press releases/20071010 235.html) End summary. ¶2. (U) Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, opened the session with a statement outlining UNODC's work in the areas of illicit drugs, human trafficking, corruption, and terrorism. He described the links between drug control, crime deterrence and terrorism prevention and economic and social development. He stated that UNODC operates with limited resources and requested that the UN members be generous when adopting the UNODC budget. In response to a question on the death penalty, Costa misrepresented his personal views in opposition to the death penalty as UN policy, eliciting criticism from several delegations. ¶3. (U) Several nations (Iran, Burma, India, Kazakhstan on behalf of CIS, and Russia) pointed to the increase in opium production in Afghanistan as a security threat. Iran and Burma noted that the presence of Coalition Forces has not decreased opium production. Iran accused the Coalition Forces of "indifference and apathy" to the opium problem. Burma stated that despite billions of USD spent in Afghanistan, opium production increased, while Burma, without any financial support from the US, has dramatically reduced opium production. ¶4. (U) Bolivia emphasized the value of the coca plant to Bolivian culture and stressed Bolivia's policy of "Coca Yes, Cocaine No." The Bolivian delegate criticized the Zero Coca policy imposed by "one of the largest consumers of cocaine" for its damage to health and the environment and its lack of funding for alternative crops. Both Bolivia and Venezuela called for demand reduction. ¶5. (U) Cuba used the opportunity to criticize the US in many policy areas, such as drug enforcement, immigration, the fight against terrorism and the embargo. The Cuban representative said the US has rejected Cuba's attempts to work bilaterally on crime and drug issues. ¶6. (U) Jamaica, for CARICOM, expressed concern over the practice of criminal deportation and the destabilizing effect it has on receiving countries. CARICOM also suggested that voluntary funding is insufficient to finance the work of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. India agreed, calling for increased allocation from the regular UN budget. ¶7. (U)The Israeli representative stated, "Political differences with our neighbors cannot be allowed to undermine the common interest in security surrounding drug control." Lebanon requested a right of reply, stating that occupation, not political differences, are hindering cooperation. "When they leave our lands, we will cooperate." The Lebanese then quoted several documents, including a 2003 Department of State report, which described drug trafficking problems in Israel. KHALILZAD