| May 5, 2000 #148 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Reprinted from the Razor Wire a publication of the November Coalition
http://www.November.org/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Drugs today are cheaper and more available than ever before. Will
escalating a failed drug control policy produce a different result? Our
drug czar, General Barry McCaffrey, seems to think so. In January,
General McCaffrey unveiled the administration's aid package for
Colombia. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our militarized drug strategy overwhelmingly emphasizes drug eradication, interdiction and law enforcement when studies show that these are the least effective means of reducing illicit drug use. A landmark study of cocaine markets by the conservative RAND Corporation found that, dollar for dollar, providing treatment to cocaine users is 10 times more effective than drug interdiction schemes and 23 times more cost effective than eradicating coca at its source. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
According to the General Accounting Office, Colombian officials "seized
a record amount of coca products in 1998 almost 57 metric tons and had
also destroyed 185 cocaine laboratories... [However] there has not been
a net reduction in processing or exporting refined cocaine from
Colombia or in cocaine availability within the United States." After
$625 million in US counter narcotics assistance to Colombia between
199098, Colombia actually surpassed Peru and Bolivia to become the
world's largest coca producer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
If decreasing drug use is the ultimate goal, why aren't we putting more
resources into domestic demand reduction where each dollar spent is 23
times more effective than eradication? General McCaffrey's drug control
budget is simply upside down two thirds of the budget still focuses on
law enforcement and "supply reduction" while one third is expected to
cover drug treatment, education and prevention. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our drug czar has staked his reputation on a futile "supply reduction"
strategy, and now we are militarizing the entire region in a last ditch
attempt to salvage a failed policy. Colombia's conflict is driven by
social, political, and economic forces sending guns and helicopters
will not remedy poverty and hunger. The region is in desperate need of
a mini Marshall Plan, but General McCaffrey's response is to send them
Desert Storm. We can help Colombia address issues of poverty and
inequality, but not by sending them more weapons. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
In order to justify more than a billion dollars in military aid, our drug warriors are now invoking the specter of a leftist insurgency that has been making advances in the four decade old Colombian civil war. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Although all parties in the Colombian conflict have been involved in
drug trafficking, General McCaffrey is promoting only the
"narcoguerilla" as the bogeyman. He told reporters last July that it
is "silly at this point" to try to differentiate between antidrug
efforts and the war against insurgent groups. Compare that statement
with what McCaffrey told reporters two years before: "Let there be no
doubt: We are not taking part in counter guerrilla operations." Thanks
to mission creep, our counter narcotics policy has now drawn us into
the Colombian civil war. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The potential for a Vietnam style quagmire in Colombia is alarming.
Once again, there is no definition of "victory", no clear articulation
of objectives, and no exit strategy. Are we aiming for a 20%, 50% or
100% reduction in drug production? Or are we trying to push the
guerrillas south of the equator or are we trying to "degrade" their
military capability? Or will the war end when US drug use completely
disappears? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
There is no capital city to occupy, no enemy flag to seize, and no
geographic high ground to capture. How many Colombians are we prepared
to sacrifice for such undefined objectives? Americans have a right to
know what goals we must achieve before we can declare success and go
home. This military assistance is the first in a series of blank checks
in a war that has no endgame. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
General Charles Wilhelm, the head of US military forces in Latin America, told Congress the Colombian military must gain some battlefield victories in order to bargain with the rebels from a position of strength. Isn't this the kind of fuzzy, flexible objective that kept us in the Vietnam quagmire? And, if the Colombian military begins to win some victories, the hawks may abandon peace negotiations completely in the illusory hope of defeating the rebels. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Do our elected representatives think it ethical for the US to escalate
the vicious civil war in Colombia, risking the lives of peasants and
indigenous people caught in the crossfire, to stop Americans from
buying drugs? If so, they need a reality check. How can we eliminate
drugs from the Andes when we can't even keep them out of our own
prisons? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
It is simply wishful thinking and political scapegoating to believe
poor countries such as Colombia and Mexico can remedy the US demand for
illicit drugs. Until we provide adequate resources for drug treatment,
rehabilitation and prevention, the US will continue to consume billions
of dollars worth of drugs and impoverished peasants will continue to
grow them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the drug war was evaluated like most other federal programs, we
would have tried different strategies long ago. But our current policy
seems to follow its own unique logic. A decline in drug use becomes
evidence that we should invest more money and resources in the National
Drug Control Strategy because it is working. A rise in drug use becomes
proof that we are not doing enough to fight drugs, and must redouble
our efforts and funding. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Under this unsustainable dynamic, funding and incarceration rates can
only rachet upward. Our so called War on Drugs has become an unending
war against our own citizens and against our neighbors in this
hemisphere. It is time to consider alternative policies that reduce the
harm caused by drug abuse as well as reduce the harm caused by the drug
war itself. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic News- Policy COMMENT: (1-3) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Although starting with Colombia, Kevin Zeese's tightly reasoned essay
is actually an indictment of three decades of drug war futility; its
appearance in the WSJ guaranteed influential- albeit unwilling-
readers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Despite its unexpected delay in the Senate, "Plan Colombia" seems
assured of ultimate passage; Max Frankel's sardonic piece advises our
media what to expect. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
An assessment from a more conservative perspective than that of Zeese also started with Colombia and came to a similar conclusion. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) JUST SAY NO TO MORE MONEY FOR THE COLOMBIA DRUG WAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
No Interdiction Program Has Had Any Serious Impact On The Supply Of
Illegal Drugs In The U.S. Rather, These Campaigns Have Spurred New
Source Countries, New Trafficking Routes And New Drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current congressional consideration of a $1.7 billion military aid
program for Colombia is the most recent escalation of the U.S.
government's war on drugs with a total federal budget of over $250
billion since 1980. Each administration has fought the drug war
aggressively.... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The results have been dismal.... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Since the problem we face today can be traced in large part to our
misguided enforcement campaigns, a rational person might ask why we are
about to commit once again to a program that is probably doomed at the
outset and almost certain to make everything worse. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) COLUMN: THE CALL OF THE ANDES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Escalating War Abroad Will Only Divert Attention From The Question
At Home: Are Attacks On The Supply Of Drugs More Effective Than Major
Efforts To Reduce Demand? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A new media-op in the perpetual drug war. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is a media alert for editors and television producers who thought
they could safely ignore all news outside the United States: the
permanent drug war is going military -- and abroad. The White House and
Congress, having failed with massive domestic police actions to reduce
the quantity or quality of illegal drugs on our streets, are mounting a
major pursuit of coca growers in Colombia. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lay news junkies may also be interested, but they can take their time;
this story promises to be around for years. Alert media, however, will
want to prepare to field Spanish-speaking correspondents, duly covered
by kidnap insurance, to follow the action across the photogenic terrain
of the Andes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
It would be unwise to expect trustworthy information from Washington, where success in this war is still defined by the bag count -- the amount of cocaine captured or the number of coca plants destroyed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(3) EDITORIAL: A DRUG WAR'S SIDE EFFECTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
For those who see the persistent influx of illicit drugs as one of
America's most urgent problems, crying out for answers (that's most of
us, surely), an event last Monday in New York could hardly have been
more disheartening. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
In January, Laurie Hiett, wife of the U.S. Army colonel who formerly commanded the military's drug-fighting operation in Colombia, pleaded guilty to laundering drug-pusher money. Now her husband, a 24-year veteran, has pleaded guilty to getting in on the illegal scheme. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thus, this question: If people at or near the top of this international
war on drugs - the ones with some of the best salaries and most clout
and longest career investments - can be thus corrupted, what does it
suggest about those much farther down the chain? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (4-6) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aside from Colombia, a growing concern over ecstasy, continued
expansion of the population undergoing mandatory drug testing and the
amazing hypocrisy of Republican drug war hawks rounded out the week's
domestic policy news. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) BUSTS TARGET NEWER DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Officials this week detail the eight-month crackdown on Ecstasy and other 'designer drugs.' Defendants face charges under a new state law. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
RALEIGH -- Police have seized more than $1 million in Ecstasy and
other drugs and made arrests from downtown Raleigh to the West Coast
in shutting down several groups suspected of supplying the city's
growing market for designer drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(5) DRUG TESTING STARTS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A random drug testing program is underway for thousands of construction trade workers in southeastern Wisconsin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The drug testing plan, billed as a national prototype, covers 7,500
construction trades workers, and an undisclosed number of non-union
office workers, at companies in Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha and
Milwaukee counties. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) PHONY DEFENDERS OF CIVIL LIBERTIES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Republicans foraging for political nourishment in the government's
recovery of Elian Gonzalez are engaging in the most transparent
hypocrisy we've seen in a long time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The family values, law-and-order set has done a complete turnaround when it comes to a Cuban boy. Those slamming Attorney General Janet Reno and President Clinton are the same people who natter about the sanctity of the parent-child relationship and who have been behind the massive buildup of paramilitary police throughout the country. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
What we saw occur in that house in Little Havana on Saturday happens
every night in this country... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (7) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
That blacks and Hispanics charged with drug crimes fare differently than whites in our criminal justice system wasn't a surprise to many, the degree of difference was an eye-opener to nearly all. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(7) LADY JUSTICE TILTS SCALES AGAINST MINORITY JUVENILES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The test of our juvenile justice system is whether we believe it would
be fair to our own children. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
If white parents learned that their teenagers were 48 times more
likely to go to juvenile prison for a first-time drug offense than
black kids, the Gold Dome would literally tremble with their angry
shouts and calls for reform. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Instead, the Gold Dome is silent. Because according to a new national
report, it's not white parents who live with this outrage. It's black
parents. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
So when our overwhelmingly white Legislature demands tougher penalties
for youthful offenders, its members are really talking about somebody
else's kids | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (8-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
There was further evidence that our federally mandated drug war is
stressing both performance and capacity of states' criminal justice
and prison systems. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(8) BORDER WAR ON CRIME OVERWHELMS COURTROOMS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Law: Influx of cases from crackdown on drugs and illegal immigration pushes U.S. Southwest's legal system to the breaking point. Too few jails and personnel make the threat of violence a constant concern. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
McALLEN, Texas--Six years ago, Washington poured millions of dollars
into expanding federal law enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The goal was to reduce crime, cut drug trafficking and stem the flow of
illegal immigrants. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
But today, while an army of new federal agents has sent arrest rates
soaring, the legal system that must prosecute, judge and sentence those
taken into custody is on the verge of collapse. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(9) PRISONS - CROWDING PROBLEM DEMANDS SOLUTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Only two weeks remain until the 2000 Legislature is history, and one of
this session's major items remains unresolved: Mississippi's
overcrowded prison system. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
As a result, the Department of Corrections' budget has grown from about
$80 million to $245 million in six years, with the inmate population
zooming from about 5,000 to about 17,000 - and growing. Mississippi
can't build prisons fast enough. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
To stem the tide, alternate sentencing - at the front end of the
corrections system - must be enacted; more drug courts and drug treatment
must be included. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (10) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legislation restricting forfeiture- a rare drug war victory for
commons sense- continued to earn approval from editorial writers, most
of whom had little to say when the Supreme Court unearthed arcane
admiralty law to justify this obscenity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(10) ASSET FORFEITURE CAN LEAD LAW AGENCIES INTO MAZE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
OF CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST ISSUES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
America's war on drugs has claimed some innocent victims over the years -- including, at times, the Fourth Amendment of the Bill of Rights. In case you don't remember it, the Fourth Amendment says, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated ...." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transferring seized assets from drug dealers to the people who arrested
and prosecuted them sets up a classic conflict of interest. It's bad
enough when the dealer is convicted on criminal charges, but it would
be intolerable in the absence of a criminal conviction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (11) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
After a string of postponements dating from August, the long-awaited
trial of Steve and Michele Kubby seems certain to begin in the near
future; anyone planning to follow the action should read this entire
Sacramento Bee update. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(11) OFT-DELAYED MEDICAL MARIJUANA CASE HEADING TO FIFTH JUDGE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The medical marijuana trial of one-time gubernatorial candidate Steven
Wynn Kubby and his wife, Michele, is beginning to resemble a game of
musical chairs with judges and attorneys dropping out as each side
maneuvers for advantage. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The latest casualty is Placer County Superior Court Judge James L.
Roeder, who was peremptorily bounced Monday as trial judge by Steve
Kubby to give two new defense attorneys time to prepare a
counterattack against prosecutors. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roeder denied Hagin's motion for a continuance, but he accepted a
Kubby affidavit challenging his assignment as trial judge and ordered
both sides to report to Judge John L. Cosgrove for the start of trial
Thursday morning. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cosgrove is the fifth judge to be assigned the Kubby matter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (12-13) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Hawaiian medical cannabis legislation is unique; despite
opposition from the police and organized medicine, a bill introduced
in the legislature passed and will be signed; the critical element was
a friendly governor. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also from Hawaii, Don Topping's efficient and devastating rebuttal of
a physician's reefer madness should be read by all. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(12) HAWAII STATE SENATE PASSES MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
HONOLULU (Reuters) - Hawaii is set to become the first state to enact a medical marijuana law through its legislature, following passage of a bill legalizing the medical use of the drug in the state Senate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The bill, passed by the state Senate Tuesday night and previously by
the state House of Representatives, was introduced by the governor, who
has vowed to sign it into law, probably by this summer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
It removes state-level penalties for seriously ill people whose doctors
prescribe the use of marijuana to ease pain. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) OPED: SCARE STORIES ON MARIJUANA ARE FICTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
WITHOUT wishing to impugn the integrity or credentials of Dr. Kenneth
Sunamoto, I must express my astonishment at the distortions and
exaggerations in his April 21 View Point, "Marijuana is not a safe
drug." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
His casual references to "recent research" and "new scientific
evidence" lead me to suspect that his primary sources are government
anti-marijuana propaganda manuals, not peer-reviewed scientific
journals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
I'd like to suggest that Dr. Sunamoto submit his claims to the authors
of a 1997 book titled "Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts: A Review of
the Scientific Evidence." I am sure the authors, Dr. John Morgan and
Professor Lynn Zimmer, would be happy to add his claims to their
collection of myths. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Furthermore, I suggest that Dr. Sunamoto read the book, which may help
guide him through the voluminous scientific literature on marijuana
research. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (14) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
An editorial writer for the Michigan Daily (who sounds like the
president of the campus NORML chapter) regaled his readers with a
history of cannabis prohibition, some rosy predictions for reform, and
a plug for this week-end's Millenium Marijuana March. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(14) EDITORIAL: POT'S SHOT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Smell Of Marijuana Reform Is In The Air | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
There is a war being fought inside America's borders. More than 700,000 are captured every year, with over half a million being taken out of the fight for years at a time. All of this is being carried out by our government on its own people with scare tactics, propaganda, brute police force, prison sentences and the inertia of ignorance and silence. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This Saturday, May 6, thousands will flock to over eighty cities
worldwide to promote awareness of the medical marijuana movement with
the Millennium Marijuana March. Protests will be held locally in
Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Traverse City. Anyone
outraged by the government's history of Cannabis prohibition should get
involved to show support for troops on the front line of this unjust
war. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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International News | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (15) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
An item from Australia hints at the size and international scope of
the most recent monster created by prohibition law: do the people
driving this policy have a grip on reality? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(15) ECSTASY: AUSTRALIAN HELD (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
An Australian journalist has been arrested in north-east Italy in
connection with what is said to be the world's biggest shipment of
ecstasy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Guardian newspaper reported that the 30-year-old Sydney man and a 26-year-old Briton were arrested on Monday near the town of Udine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The report said police seized 333,000 ecstasy tablets with a street
value of STG4 million ($A10.8 million) from the back of the British
suspect's car. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
"This is the largest ecstasy seizure ever carried out in Europe and perhaps in the world," Italian officials said in a statement. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Despite outstanding results in HIV prevention, Australia's aggressive
harm reduction community has been prevented by hard line hawks from
introducing European style injection rooms to counter the explosion in
fatal overdoses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(16) AUSTRALIA: OLYMPICS TO SET BACK INJECTING ROOM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The nation's first legal heroin injecting room is now unlikely to open
its doors before the Olympics as the Uniting Church battles to harness
community support for the project. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Despite months of consultation with local businesses and residents, the
church has been unable to dampen opposition to the 66 Darlinghurst Road
site from the Kings Cross Chamber of Commerce. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (17-18) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Not all drug war casualties are from drugs; the Canadian government
reacted with shock and anger to Viet Nam's execution of one of its
naturalized citizens. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three brutal slayings in Mexico- a prosecutor and two presumably honest cops- once again demonstrate that it's impossible for police to "control" a lucrative criminal market- especially in a poor country. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(17) CANADA WITHDRAWS AMBASSADOR TO VIETNAM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ottawa Protests Woman's Execution | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Axworthy Considers Further Steps To Underline 'Our Real Sense Of
Outrage' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
OTTAWA - Canada has withdrawn its ambassador from Vietnam and will suspend other links to protest Monday's execution of a Canadian citizen who was put to death by firing squad after a drug-smuggling conviction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
An outraged Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy ordered the
immediate suspension of a Canadian initiative to help Vietnam's efforts
to gain membership in the World Trade Organization by providing
technical assistance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(18) AGENTS' DEATHS UNDERSCORE PERIL OF MEXICAN DRUG WAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SAN DIEGO--Mexican drug prosecutor Jose Patino Moreno enjoyed the respect of U.S. authorities along the international border even before accepting the daunting assignment that would be his last. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Courtly and careful, Patino, a ranking lawyer in the narcotics unit of
the federal attorney general's office in Mexico City, had impressed
U.S. counterparts as a trustworthy ally and a bright spot in his
country's often-fitful campaign against drug smuggling. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amid the charged rhetoric in the capitals of both nations over who is
helping in the war on drugs and who is not, these officials say, the
killings underscore the huge practical challenges at street level,
where the life of an ally as valued as Patino can be so easily and
cruelly snuffed out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (19-20) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Two different takes on "Plan Colombia:" an Irishman with an EU perspective sees only futility and increased human misery; an American defense establishment bureaucrat and a Senate hawk see only a compelling need for force to (somehow) make failing policy work. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(19) DRUG WAR TO DEEPEN COLOMBIA'S MISERY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
35,000 people died violently in Colombia last year. But US attempts to eradicate the country's drug trade, will only lead to more deaths, argues Eamonn Meehan, Trocaire's Head of Overseas Department | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colombia is a country at war. The conflict which has gone on for over 50 years has recently intensified and is set to become even more vicious with new plans to attempt to forcibly eradicate the production of the coca plant, the main source of cocaine on the US market. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The second element of this "Plan Colombia" calls for the countries of
the European Union to come up with an additional $1.7 billion for
development and humanitarian assistance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
While Colombia needs development assistance, it needs to be carefully planned and with a significant chance of sustainability. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
EU countries thinking of supporting the Plan must ensure that this assistance is not just to pick up the pieces after a military campaign of doubtful benefit and certain suffering for innocent civilians. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(20) OPED: QUICK AID TO COLOMBIA -- FOR OUR SAKE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Latin America: Drug trafficking and a struggling economy could
destabilize the region. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Skeptics looking for confirmation of a Colombia in crisis need look no
further than the northern border towns of Vigia del Fuerte and Bojaya.
On March 25 and 26, insurgent guerrillas attacked these fishing
villages near Panama. Churches, homes and government buildings were
destroyed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thirty people--including a mayor, two children and 24 police officers--were killed. Seven other police officers were taken prisoner. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Is my medicine legal yet? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A new website, "Is my medicine legal yet?" http://www.immly.org/ has
been created by Wisconsin activists Jacki Rickert, Gary Storck and Jan
Siminos. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Among the featured pages are many photos from the First National
Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics. Gary is both list mister and
webmaster for the Drug Policy Forum of Wisconsin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Submitted by Richard Lake | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Drug WorkShop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Provocative new web site The Drug WorkShop is an interesting page
created by Dr. Richard Wilmot, Ph.D. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Heads Up - 60 Minutes on Three Strikes this Sunday | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 60 Minutes broadcast surrounding the Three Strikes Law will air
this Sunday (May 7, 2000). Get your recorders ready. 60 Minutes
recorded our (Families to Amend California's Three Strikes FACTS)
entire meeting and Candle Light Vigil in Sacramento. They also
interviewed Matthew's father, as well as 11 inmates from Folsom.
You don't want to miss this one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Submitted by Jackie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE After the show consider sending your thoughts to 60 Minutes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Email address: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Online form to CBS: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please send your letter to BOTH. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
"The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."
-- Plato | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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