[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





                                
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