Source: CNN Contact: http://www.cnn.com/ Pubdate: 16 May 1998 G-8'S SECOND DAY FOCUSES ON CRIME, DRUGS, POVERTY ... AND SPORTS BIRMINGHAM, England (CNN) -- In the secluded splendor of a 17th century estate, leaders from eight industrial nations gathered away from the media's gaze to discuss addressing cross-border crime, drugs and Third World debt. The Irish peace process, nuclear tensions in South Asia, and the domestic crisis in Indonesia also continued to dominate the agenda for the heads of state from the United States, Russia, Japan, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada, officially dubbed the Group of Eight. On Saturday, the G-8 released a statement which "warmly welcomed" the April 10 peace settlement for Northern Ireland. "We commend all those involved in achieving an outcome which reflects the fundamental aspirations of both parts of the community in Northern Ireland and secures their rights," the statement read. The G-8 statement also said the group realized the agreement had to win the endorsement of the people in the North and in the Republic of Ireland. On the upcoming vote, the group said: "...we hope it will achieve the widest possible support, not only as a basis for political stability and peace but also as an opportunity for economic development and prosperity for all Northern Ireland's people." Drug crimes grow 'faster than our cooperation' In their discussions on cross-border crime and drugs, the leaders watched police videos on high-tech crime and international arms trafficking. Barry Penrose, the director general of Britain's National Crime Squad, warned the group that they are on the threshold of a high-tech boom in cross-border crime. The G-8 also sifted through a batch of statistics on the growth of the illegal drug trade. French President Jacques Chirac demanded a zero tolerance policy toward soft as well as hard drugs. "This scourge is advancing faster than our cooperation," a spokesman quoted Chirac as saying about the illegal drug trade. A draft communique, to be issued Sunday, is expected to pledge action on Internet crimes, money-laundering, corruption and the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of firearms. Poverty relief In central Birmingham, away from the quiet of the Weston Park retreat, tens of thousands of people gathered to urge the G-8 members to help eradicate Third World debt. The protesters formed a six-mile long human chain at least four people deep. "No more debt!" they chanted, while blowing whistles and banging drums. The protesters in Birmingham would like to see the world leaders write off debt from the world's poorest nations. At Weston Park, where British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his guests discussed relieving poverty in Africa, the G-8 had a different vision of debt relief. Officials said the G-8 is expected to encourage creditor nations to possibly accelerate a debt-relief initiative agreed to two years ago. Blair, who has promised to meet with the Jubilee 2000 protesters in Birmingham, said the G-8 was concerned about debt-ridden poorer nations but that there was no magic solution. Debt relief goes hand-in-hand with good development policies and sound, honest government, Blair said in a response to the protesters' demands. Time out The G-8 attendees also set aside time for the business of serious fun. They wrapped up talks at the secluded retreat in time for Blair, Clinton, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi to watch the kick-off of the English soccer cup final between Arsenal and Newcastle United. Japanese Prime Minster Ryutaro Hashimoto, Russian President Boris Yeltsin and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl opted for the 20-mile ride back to Birmingham. But Hashimoto did send along a handwritten good-luck note to the Newcastle players. It accompanied one from Blair, who supports the team. Earlier Saturday morning, Chretien and Clinton took time for the Canadian leader to make good on a bet over who would win the Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators National Hockey League playoff series. The morning after the Capitals eliminated the Senators from the series, Clinton presented Chretien with a Capitals' jersey. Chretien put it on for reporters -- a condition of the bet -- and joked in French it was embarrassing to don the jersey of the American team. Clinton accepted a Senators' jersey from Chretien, and the two leaders exchanged hockey sticks autographed by their respective teams. Correspondents Wolf Blitzer and John King, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. - --- Checked-by: Mike Gogulski