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how they have interpreted the requirements of the 1986 legislation that drug producing and transit countries should "cooperate fully" with the US and that they should take measures "to the maximum extent possible". State Department have, quite rightly in my view, considered the relative capability of each individual country when making their assessment. However Congress may not see it that way.
3.
The report itself confirms that cultivation and production of opium, coca and marijuana have increased in 1986, but it is estimated that trafficking to the US has only marginally increased. The increased production has apparently been absorbed by expanding local consumption in the drug producing
countries themselves. The report indicates that in 1986 gains in the fight against narcotics drugs were seen in Thailand, Ecuador, Belize and Colombia; Burma and Jamaica showed renewed determination by agreeing to intensify their erradication programmes for 1987. The two black sheep are Pakistan and Mexico. State Department criticised the civilian government in Pakistan for failing to respond quickly when faced with strong opposition by growers to its narcotics control policy last year.
They have however welcomed the Pakistani Government's decision to undertake an aerial spraying campaign in 1987. Mexico is considered the "highest US narcotics control priority" because it continues to be the largest supplier of heroin and marijuana to the US, and a transit point for about one third of the cocaine consumed in the US. Although there was an improved erradication campaign in 1986 by the Mexican Attorney General's Office, it did not unfortunately keep pace with production so that the net increases in Mexico are also up. The lack of progress in the Camarena case also continues to frustrate the US Administration.
4.
Budget requests for fiscal year 1988 have now been presented to Congress. Attorney General Meese has made a statement before the House Judiciary Committee on the budget for the Department of Justice which includes action to be taken under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act 1986.
5. The Bureau of International Narcotics Matters in State Department have also submitted their budget request for US$98.75m to fund their international narcotics control programme. This request gives a helpful breakdown of individual country goals, programmes and costs. Belize has no separate entry because the aerial spraying programmes are included in the Latin American regional programme. The UK sniffer-dog training gets a mention under the inter-regional training programmes.
If
6. I am sending Whitehall addressees a full set of enclosures; and other FCO departments and Embassies, relevant extracts. any posts decide to comment to the FCO, I should be grateful if
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