Pubdate: 4 Feb 1999
Source: Kyodo News (Japan)

U.N. DRUG PROGRAM HEAD CALLS FOR MORE JAPANESE AID

TOKYO, Feb. 5 (Kyodo) -- By: Naoko Aoki The head of the United Nation's
drug control program urged Japan on Friday to provide more financial
assistance to its efforts to tackle worldwide drug problems, a Japanese
official said.

Pino Arlacchi, executive director of the U.N. International Drug Control
Program (UNDCP), made the request in a 20-minute courtesy call on Prime
Minister Keizo Obuchi at his official residence, the official said.

Arlacchi noted Japan's contributions to the program decreased in 1998
despite an increase in the Vienna-based organization's activities, the
official said.

The UNDCP's budget has increased 35% in 1998, and is expected to increase
50% in 1999, the official quoted Arlacchi as saying.

Japan's contributions to the program dropped to 3.8 million dollars in 1998
from 5 million dollars in 1997 due to the recession in Japan, the official
said. The government plans to provide 3.7 million dollars to the program
this year.

Obuchi told Arlacchi that Japan is pressing for alternative farm products
in drug-producing zones, particularly in northern Myanmar. Arlacchi said he
is confident joint efforts by the UNDCP and Japan in the area will produce
results, the official said.

Arlacchi said he wants to increase the number of Japanese staff in the
UNDCP to a level reflecting Japan's importance, the official said. Ten
Japanese now work for the program.

Obuchi and Arlacchi also reaffirmed the importance of adopting a U.N.
treaty on international organized crime in 2000 at the U.N. General Assembly.

Arlacchi, who also serves as head of the Office for Drug Control and Crime
Prevention, called the treaty an effective measure to fight organized
crime, the official said.

The treaty covers crimes such as money laundering, high-tech crimes and
smuggling of weapons.

Arlacchi, who is on a weeklong visit, attended an international conference
on anti-drug measures in Asia, held for two days from Tuesday. 
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MAP posted-by: Mike Gogulski