    [House Document 105-225]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

    105th Congress, 2d Session  - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-225

                   PRESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATION OF NARCOTICS
                       PRODUCING AND TRANSIT COUNTRIES

                                   __________

                               COMMUNICATION 7833

                                      from

                          THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR

                              LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS,

                            THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE

                                  transmitting

     THE PRESIDENT'S DETERMINATION REGARDING CERTIFICATION OF THE 30 MAJOR
     ILLICIT NARCOTICS PRODUCING AND TRANSIT COUNTRIES PURSUANT TO SECTION
             490 OF THE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961, AS AMENDED.

     March 9, 1998.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations
                           and ordered to be printed

    Hon. Newt Gingrich,
    Speaker of the House of Representatives,
    Washington, DC.
        Dear Mr. Speaker: In accordance with Section 490 of the
    Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), I am
    transmitting to you the President's determination regarding
    certification of the 30 major illicit narcotics producing and
    transit countries.
        The President has determined that 22 major drug producing
    and/or major drug transit countries cooperated fully with the
    United States, or took adequate steps on their own, to achieve
    full compliance with the goals and objectives established by
    the 1988 UN Convention Against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic
    Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The President denied
    certification to four countries that did not meet the standards
    set out in Section 490(b) of the FAA. Under Section
    490(b)(1)(B) of the FAA, the President certified four countries
    based on the vital national interests of the United States.
        As in the past, we are providing a statement of explanation
    for each country that describes the extent of its
    counternarcotics progress and cooperation. In addition, for
    each country granted vital national interests certification,
    the statement sets forth the information required by Section
    490(b)(3) of the FAA.
        International narcotics control continues to be a top
    foreign policy priority for the Administration. Arguably no
    other foreign policy concern affects so many Americans so
    directly, adversely, and persistently. Moreover, narcotics-
    related violence and corruption have become some of the most
    serious sources of instability in the post-Cold War era. As the
    Secretary of State has said, we make our certification
    decisions not to stand above other countries in judgment, but
    to hold them up to the same public scrutiny to which we hold
    ourselves. That is why the Administration remains committed to
    implementing a comprehensive and aggressive international
    strategy that attacks the most critical aspects of the trade:
    drug production, the leading international criminals, and their
    money.
        This strategy has finally allowed us--not the criminals--to
    take the offensive in the fight against drugs in many parts of
    the world. We are making progress, but success will require us
    to sustain and expand our efforts. The Department of State
    needs your support in this critical national security matter.
    It remains committed to working closely with Congress in this
    effort.
        Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require
    additional information on this or any other matter.
                Sincerely,
                                                Barbara Larkin,
                              Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs.
        Enclosures