UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE DISCUSSES CRIME PREVENTION,

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000981

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INL, G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KCOR KCRIM AORC UNGA
SUBJECT: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE DISCUSSES CRIME PREVENTION,
CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL


1. SUMMARY: During the UN General Assembly Third Committee's
formal discussion on crime prevention, criminal justice, and
international drug control, speakers agreed that trafficking
in drugs, weapons, and persons, and money laundering were
cyclical and linked to terrorism, requiring coordinated
international efforts. Some Member States noted that the
abuse of some drugs, like cocaine and opium, had declined,
meanwhile abuse of cannabis remained a problem and abuse of
amphetamines was on the rise. The need for more attention to
the care and rehabilitation of drug users was a common theme.
Several countries highlighted the decade review of 1998 UNGA
Special Session commitments that reinforce the implementation
of the three drug conventions. The Millennium Development
Goals were consistently referenced, with many speakers noting
that achievement of these goals was necessary to eliminate
some of the underlying causes of crime, such as poverty. The
UN Office on Drugs and Crime noted its support for the
creation of a new General Assembly Global Action Plan against
trafficking in persons, which was echoed by several other
speakers. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime also solicited
more funding to carry out its "broad and wide" mandate, and
many developing countries pleaded for more assistance to
bolster their efforts in these matters. END SUMMARY.


2. In three formal meetings on October 9 and 10, the UN
General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee discussed crime
prevention, criminal justice, and international drug control.
Experts from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),the
International Organization for Migration, and the African
Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of
Offenders spoke, along with representatives from 49
countries. INL A/S Johnson delivered the U.S. statement,
which focused on the need to eliminate corporate and public
corruption in line with the UN Convention Against Corruption.
He also underscored the importance of the UN Convention on
Transnational Organized Crime, and highlighted progress in
the fight against drug trafficking in Colombia and
Afghanistan, as well as the ongoing review of the 1998 UNGA
Special Session commitments. The complete text can be found
at www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov (press release #267). The
Millennium Development Goals were consistently referenced,
with many speakers noting that achievement of these goals was
necessary to eliminate some of the underlying causes of
crime, such as poverty. Developing countries called upon the
developed countries to fulfill their assistance commitments,
and noted the need for greater overall funding to bolster
their efforts to address the problems of crime and drugs.

UNODC'S EFFORTS DRAW MIXED PRAISE, CRITICISM
--------------


3. Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC) Antonio Maria Costa underscored the correlation
between weak socio-economic performance and weak rule of law,
which he said caused the "vicious cycle" of countries too
poor to fund capable governments being vulnerable to crime
and violence. The Indian PermRep disagreed with Costa,
emphasizing the need to stop blaming the drug problem on
underlying causes and to focus instead on implementing
strategies to tackle the immediate, concrete causes of crime,
like terrorism financing. While many speakers noted
appreciation for the UNODC's efforts, they also mentioned
that funding constraints were preventing the office from
fulfilling its broad mandate, which Costa also conceded. The
UNODC's closure of its regional office in Barbados drew
criticism from the Caribbean nations, which said the closure
left a "vacuum" in regional crime prevention and drug control
efforts. India also criticized the closure, noting that the
Caribbean was a "hotbed" of drug-related activity.

DRUGS: SOME PROGRESS, BUT SITUATION FRAGILE
--------------


4. The UNODC Executive Director and many other speakers cited
the latest World Drug Report statistic that occasional drug
use has been contained to less than five percent of the world
population, and severe drug use to less than 0.5 percent.
However, as Costa cautioned, the situation is fragile, and
greater emphasis must be put on drug prevention and treatment
-- a sentiment echoed by many others. The European Union,
via France's statement, called for increased and broader
"harm reduction" interventions. There was consensus that
although there was a global decrease in abuse of cocaine and
opiates such as opium and heroin, illegal use of cannabis
remained a problem, and the use of amphetamines was
increasing, particularly in East Asia. Israel noted a
growing trend among youth of the illegal use of inhalants and
legitimate medicines like cough syrup. Many speakers noted
the need for more efforts to limit the accessibility of
precursor chemicals commonly used in the manufacture of


illicit drugs, and Thailand stressed the need for better
exchange of data and intelligence on chemical shipments.
Several countries also noted the need for greater adherence
to the three drug conventions.

REGIONAL DRUG ISSUES
--------------


5. Several speakers noted that opium poppy cultivation,
production of opium and heroin and transport from the
Afghanistan-Iran-Pakistan region (but particularly
Afghanistan) continued to cause problems throughout the
world. Afghanistan, for its part, acknowledged that the drug
problem remained the biggest impediment to its long-term
security, development, and effective governance. The Afghan
statement also noted the direct link between opium poppy
cultivation/heroin production and terrorism, calling for
increased international efforts to break the link. Iran
blamed the coalition forces in Afghanistan for accelerating
opium cultivation, and said the Iranian government had
dedicated significant resources to strengthening border
control, claiming that it had been responsible for 80 percent
of global opium and heroin seizures.


6. Colombia highlighted its efforts to combat the
"devastating" drug problem that had plagued the country,
which the speaker deemed to have been successful, including
aerial spraying of coca crops. One reason for Colombia's
success was the provision of productive alternative
development programs for farmers who ceased cultivation of
illicit crops. Colombia called for greater donor support to
alternative development programs. Venezuela criticized the
United States for singling it out as a drug producer; rather,
the speaker said, Venezuela was being used as a transit route
for drug trafficking, although it was engaged in several
anti-drug initiatives. Bolivia reiterated support for its
citizens, right to use the coca leaf for "traditional
cultural purposes." Lebanon exercised its right of reply to
counter Israel's indication that one of its neighbors was
uncooperative in anti-drug efforts, stating that Lebanon was
cooperative and pointing to Israel as the center of the
"ecstasy" drug industry (citing U.S. and UN reports).

ADDRESSING TRANSNATIONAL CRIME REQUIRES COORDINATION
-------------- --------------


7. Speakers focused on the "illicit interlude" of
transnational organized crime, noting that trafficking in
drugs, weapons, and persons and money-laundering were
cyclical and often linked to terrorism (particularly drug
trafficking). Seriously combating these crimes would require
intensified international coordination, several speakers
noted. There was consensus that corruption created a
breeding ground for organized crime, and developing countries
complained that without adequate resources, fighting
corruption remained an "uphill battle." Malaysia and
Indonesia raised the issue of piracy in international waters,
stressing that while the UN Security Council was examining
the issue, other crimes linked to piracy, such as ransom,
should be addressed by the third committee. Cuba said it was
"absurd" that "certain States" promoting illegal migration
were working to establish guidelines for fighting it. The
speaker specifically referenced the Cuban Adjustment Act,
which he said encouraged illegal migration and smuggling of
Cuban citizens into the United States.

CALLS FOR SUPPORT TO A NEW TIP ACTION PLAN
--------------


8. The UNODC Executive Director and a number of speakers
called for support to a General Assembly Global Action Plan
against Trafficking in Persons (TIP). As Costa explained,
the upcoming discussions in Vienna would address the legal
and technical aspect of combating TIP, however, unified
political will was also necessary. The International
Organization for Migration noted the potential value of an
action plan, but emphasized that TIP could not be separated
from the broader context of migration. (The only group to
speak in support of the Action Plan was the Commonwealth of
Independent States, via Belarus' statement.)
Khalilzad