-Caveat Lector- from - http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020222/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/mex ico_us_drugs_3
DEA Chief Discusses Colombian Action Fri Feb 22, 6:37 AM ET By JOHN RICE, Associated Press Writer MEXICO CITY (AP) - Drug Enforcement Agency chief Asa Hutchinson said Colombia's crackdown on rebels will aid in the war against illegal drugs. Colombian President Andres Pastrana on Thursday ordered a military attack on a vast rebel territory, ending a three-year peace process hours after guerrillas allegedly hijacked a domestic airliner and kidnapped a senator onboard. "I see it clearly as a benefit in that region," Hutchinson said Thursday, adding that anti-drug efforts "would have to be a focus" of the military campaign. Pastrana gave the Switzerland-sized zone to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, in 1998 to encourage peace negotiations. Hutchinson welcomed Pastrana's reference to rebel links to drug trafficking, saying it was "clear recognition" of long-standing U.S. allegations. "If the military and police enter the (rebel) zone, you're going to find cocaine diversion labs there, (drug) labs," he said Thursday. "You're going to have intelligence" on trafficking operations, he said. Making his first trip to Mexico since taking over the DEA in August, Hutchinson praised the administration of President Vicente Fox (news - web sites) and Attorney General Rafael Macedo de la Concha. He singled out efforts to root out corruption and improve training of anti-narcotics agents. Yet despite a series of major seizures over the past year, Hutchinson conceded there was no sign that the supply, price or quality of illegal drugs reaching the United States had been affected. Mexico's legal system also has frustrated one U.S. goal: extraditing alleged drug bosses for trial in the United States. Mexico shipped 17 suspects to the United States over the past year, but its Supreme Court last year barred extradition of some of the most-wanted suspects because they could face the death penalty or a life sentence. Mexico and many other countries believe those punishments violate human rights. Hutchinson said the Mexican government "may have to look at a legislative solution" making such extraditions legal. Hutchinson said U.S. officials also are studying ways to restrict the flow of opium and heroin out of Afghanistan (news - web sites), historically a major producer. Reporters there have seen vast fields of opium poppies after the fall of the restrictive Taliban government during the U.S.-led war on terrorism. That war followed the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
