US/DRUG REPORT

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=2/26/98

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-227343

TITLE=U-S / DRUG REPORT (S)

BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 


INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS RELEASED ITS ANNUAL LIST OF 

COUNTRIES THAT ARE COOPERATING WITH WASHINGTON IN THE FIGHT 

AGAINST NARCOTICS.  RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE 

DEPARTMENT, COLOMBIA HAS BEEN GIVEN A WAIVER FROM SANCTIONS 

IMPOSED AGAINST COUNTRIES THAT DO  NOT  COOPERATE.


TEXT:  PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS GIVEN COLOMBIA A NATIONAL SECURITY 

INTEREST WAIVER THAT WILL ALLOW AMERICAN AID AND INTERNATIONAL 

LOANS TO RESUME TO THAT COUNTRY.  COLOMBIA REMAINS ON THE STATE 

DEPARTMENT LIST AS NOT COOPERATING WITH THE UNITED STATES IN THE 

WAR AGAINST DRUGS BUT THE WAIVER REMOVES THE SANCTIONS FOR THE 

FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS.


SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE DECISION IS 

DESIGNED TO PROMOTE WORK WITH A NEW GOVERNMENT IN COLOMBIA.


                      /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///


         COMING ON THE EVE OF THAT COUNTRY'S CONGRESSIONAL AND 

         PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, THE WAIVER DECISION IS INTENDED 

         TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR INCREASED FUTURE COOPERATION 

         AND TO SUPPORT THOSE IN COLOMBIA WHO ARE STRIVING TO 

         STRENGTHEN THE RULE OF LAW AND BUTTRESS THEIR EMBATTLED 

         DEMOCRACY.


                         /// END ACT ///


THE REPORT UPGRADES BELIZE TO FULLY COOPERATING THIS YEAR BUT 

DOWNGRADES PARAGUAY AND CAMBODIA TO A NATIONAL INTEREST WAIVER. 

THE ONLY C0UNTRIES COMPLETELY DE-CERTIFIED ARE BURMA, 

AFGHANISTAN, NIGERIA AND IRAN. (SIGNED)


NEB/RP/KL


26-Feb-98 2:53 PM EST (1953 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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