Drugs and development
No. 29, September 2001

The bi-monthly newsletter of ENCOD (European NGO Council on Drugs and Development)
Secretariat: Lange Nieuwstraat 147, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Tel. +32 3 272 5524 / Fax.: + 32 3 226 3476 / E-mail: encod@glo.be

Editorial

Although ignored by many politicians, the issue of drugs policies concerns the planet, as it is being forced into the limelight by such situations as the increasing conflicts of interest between Latin American nations and the United States federal government. The U.S. seems totally committed to continuing the forced eradication of the "evil plants" - coca, hemp and opium poppy - without taking into consideration the ecological and social disruption that is resulting from this action.
In Bolivia, where the rural and political leader Evo Morales is heading the protest against the U.S. intervention policy, the situation is becoming critical. In Colombia, where a violent civil war rages, discussion of a possible legalisation of drugs has started, in spite of all the official objections and pressure from the U.S.
In reference to the Latin American problem, the prestigious British magazine The Economist quotes Keith Morris in its edition of July 26. Morris, former British ambassador to Colombia, declares the war on drugs "unwinnable, expensive and counterproductive". The Economist then reasserts its well-known anti-prohibitionist position, continuing a campaign that has perhaps had some significant influence on recent events. In their editorial entitled "Time for a puff of sanity", the editors once again cite the 19th century British liberal philosopher John Stuart Mill, who urged that "Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign." Most of the damage caused by the prohibition of drugs is affecting poor countries and poor people in rich countries, writes The Economist.
The following day, before travelling to Jamaica, a smiling Tony Blair reiterated that he was resolutely against the legalisation of marijuana, as recently proposed in the country of Rastas. A National Commission for Ganja (the local name for hemp or marijuana) had arrived at this recommendation in recognition that "the conviction that the plant is a panacea and elevates the spirit is so strongly shared by the people, that it should be considered as being anchored in the culture." The proposal is currently being considered by the Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Amazon hurricane of Plan Colombia continues to worsen, causing several protests both in Colombia and in Europe. The National Ombudsman of Colombia, learning of the accusations of indigenous leaders of the Putumayo region, ordered a halt to the fumigations. But these continued, as did the terrorist attacks and the armed conflict. In Peru, investigations continue into the scandalous murder of American missionaries whose plane was shot down in a U.S.-directed drugs control operation in April. Despite the 'error', the Peruvian Air Force claims the country is currently 'invaded' by light aeroplanes, and wants the US 'support' to be continued.
Encouraged by the discussion on the topic, a Colombian liberal senator proposed the legalisation and state control of the drugs market. This provoked a wave of adverse declarations, starting with that of the U.S. ambassador, Anne Patterson: "I believe this could bring many problems with the international community". The Embassy also announced the delivery of 14 light planes to continue with the fumigation of coca and opium plantations. Colombian Government officials considered it inopportune to discuss the topic, and other personalities, with fair reason, pointed out that legalisation should not be unilateral but rather a concerted measure among several nations.
In recognition that the problem of international drug trafficking should be solved in common agreement with Colombia's allies and not by means of policies "as ineffective as the fumigations", the XXXI General Assembly of Governors of Colombia requested the Government to foster the international debate on the legalisation of drugs. The minister of Interior, Armando Estrada Villa, stressed that the Government does not consider legalisation convenient at present, but admitted the advisability of opening the debate on the topic. Most recently, the Andean Parliament denounced the fumigations in its meeting in Quito.

A certain momentum for change seems to be developing these days. It is time to remind those who signed a letter to Kofi Annan two years ago that the debate he was asked to facilitate on the drugs issue in the United Nations is even more necessary today. Among the signatories, it should be mentioned, are various people who are now parliamentarians and ministers. Not only international debate, but a willingness to move rapidly toward significant reform is urgently needed to help the Andean Region fight corruption and find transparency.

By Baldomero Cáceres Santa María