Annual Presidential Determinations of Major Illicit Drug-Producing and Drug-Transit Countries

KINGSTON- September 16, 2004  

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

(Blaine, Minnesota)

______________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                                                                    September 16, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Annual Presidential Determinations of

Major Illicit Drug-Producing and Drug-Transit Countries

President Bush has authorized the Secretary of State to submit to Congress the annual report listing major illicit drug-producing and drug-transit countries (known as the "Majors List").  The same report contains Presidential determinations of the countries that have "failed demonstrably to make substantial efforts" during the previous 12 months to adhere to international counternarcotics agreements and take the counternarcotics measures specified in U.S. law.

As in previous years, this year's certification determinations required the President to consider each country's performance in areas such as reducing illicit cultivation, interdiction, and law enforcement cooperation; extraditing drug traffickers; and taking legal steps and law enforcement measures to prevent and punish public corruption that facilitates drug trafficking or impedes prosecution of drug-related crimes.  The President also had to consider efforts taken by these countries to stop production and export of, and reduce the domestic demand for, illegal drugs.

In his report, the President identified as major drug-transit or major illicit drug-producing countries:  Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and Vietnam. 

The President removed Thailand from the list of major drug-transit or major illicit drug-producing countries.  Thailand's opium poppy cultivation is well below the levels specified in Section 706(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, FY 2002-2003(P.L.107-228)(the FRAA); no heroin processing laboratories have been found in Thailand for several years, and Thailand is no longer a significant direct source of illicit narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances significantly affecting the United States; nor is it a country through which are transported such drugs or substances.

The President also reported to Congress his determination that Burma failed demonstrably, during the previous 12 months, to adhere to its obligations under international counternarcotics agreements and to take the measures set forth in U.S. law.

The President noted that, in sharp contrast to the Government of Haiti's dismal performance last year under the Aristide regime, the New Interim Government of Haiti headed by Prime Minister Latortue, has taken substantive -- if limited -- counternarcotics actions in the few months it has been in office.  The President remains concerned, however, about the ability of Haitian law enforcement to reorganize and restructure sufficiently to carry out sustained counternarcotics efforts.

The President cited decreased use of MDMA (ecstasy) among young people in the United States as a hopeful sign, but continues to place priority on stopping the threat of club drugs, including MDMA, of which the Netherlands continues to be the dominant source country.  He characterized the Government of the Netherlands as an enthusiastic and capable partner, and commended its efforts.  He continues to be concerned, however, by obstacles to mutual legal assistance and extradition from the Netherlands and cited a need to work more deliberately to disrupt the criminal organizations responsible for the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs.  Specifically, he urged enhanced use of financial investigations, and anti-money laundering statutes to identify and dismantle trafficking organizations.  

While the vast majority of illicit drugs entering the United States continues to come from South America and Mexico, the President expressed his continuing concerns about the flow of illicit drugs from Canada.  He commended Canada for its successful efforts to curb the diversion of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, and noted that we are now working intensively with Canadian authorities to address the increase in the smuggling of Canadian-produced marijuana into the United States.  The President said, however, that he was concerned the consideration of cannabis reform legislation could be an invitation to greater activity by organized crime and can undermine law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts.

The President reported that, although Nigeria arrested a trafficker wanted by the United States; met the modest, agreed upon interdiction targets; and put measures in place to increase the effectiveness of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency; counternarcotics efforts continue to be undermined by pervasive corruption.  He said Nigeria must take significant and decisive action to investigate and prosecute political corruption, and to increase transparency if it is to combat corruption effectively.

Despite good faith efforts on the part of the central Afghanistan Government, the President reported his concerns about the increased opium crop production and the Government's lack of capacity to prevail in the provinces.

The President expressed deep concerns about heroin and methamphetamine linked to North Korea being trafficked to East Asian countries; the high likelihood state agents and enterprises in North Korea are involved in the narcotics trade; and that there are clear indications that North Koreans traffic in, and probably manufacture, methamphetamine. 

United States Ambassador Sue M. Cobb and Minister of Local Government, Community & Sports The Honorable Portia Simpson-Miller will be among the esteemed speakers at the ceremonial "swearing in" of the 75^th group of Peace Corps Volunteers to serve in Jamaica.  The ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 27^th in the Campion College Auditorium in Kingston.

Since they first arrived on the island six weeks ago, the 57 volunteers have been undergoing intensive technical and cross-cultural training - including lessons in understanding patois - to prepare them for their two or more years of volunteer service in Jamaica.  The volunteers range in age from 21 to 68, and have expertise in a variety of areas, including information and communications technology (ICT), business, education, health care, and water engineering.

 On Monday, August 30, the volunteers will depart for communities across the island, where they will work with Jamaican community based and non government organizations as well as local and national government to institute education, environment, and youth development programs; implement water and sanitation solutions; and facilitate HIV/AIDS education and prevention initiatives. 

 According to Dr. Suchet L. Loois, Country Director of the Peace Corps in Jamaica, "Jamaica and the Peace Corps have enjoyed a strong and mutually beneficial relationship for more than 42 years.  While our volunteers are here to help Jamaican organizations, they also gain valuable knowledge from Jamaican specialists as well as form cross-cultural friendships as they are embraced by the communities where they serve.  We're looking forward to continuing this relationship for many years to come."   

 The U.S. Peace Corps was established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy and involves American men and women of all ages and ethnic groups who volunteer to spend two years working to provide assistance to nations around the world. Since its inception, more than 170,000 volunteers have served in 136 countries around the world as Peace Corps Volunteers. In 1962, Jamaica was the eighth country to receive Peace Corps Volunteers. Since then, more than 3,500 Volunteers have served in Jamaica.