Pubdate: Sun, 03 Sep 2000
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2000 The New York Times Company
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Section: Letters
Author: Ronald B. Brinn
Note: Ronald B. Brinn, Great Neck, N.Y., Aug. 30, 2000 The writer is a
nongovernmental representative at the United Nations.

CURBING DRUG TRADE: A PROVEN APPROACH

To the Editor:
Re "Colombia Says Key to Drug Fight Is for U.S. to Tame Demand Here"
(front page, Aug. 30):

Colombia's president, Andres Pastrana, is nearly right when he calls 
international drug trafficking the "most lucrative business in the 
world." Actually, the world arms trade is larger, but both are 
intertwined in the spread of drug addiction and AIDS through terrorism 
and guerrilla warfare. Efforts to reduce demand are essential to 
curtail drug use, but money is the big driver in the global drug trade. 

America's forfeiture laws are an effective way to curtail the arms and 
drug trades. These should be globalized to stabilize the political and 
economic system in Colombia, making the rule of law stronger and 
building a source of strength for the Colombian people.  

Achieving this would take political will and United States membership 
in the International Criminal Court.  

Ronald B. Brinn, Great Neck, N.Y., Aug. 30, 2000 The writer is a
nongovernmental representative at the United Nations.
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