Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jul 2001
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2001 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454
Author: David Adams in Miami

UN CALLS FOR CHECK ON COCA SPRAYING

IN A surprise blow to the US-supported counter-drug offensive in 
Colombia, the United Nations has called for international monitoring 
of a controversial cocaine crop-spraying programme.

The UN proposal is backed by Britain, which has already promised 
£150,000 towards independent environmental auditing of the spraying.

The European Union has voiced doubts about the programme since it 
began in December. Some EU nations oppose the spraying outright; 
British officials believe it is necessary but fear it is being 
undermined by a lack of proper supervision.

Klaus Nyholm, head of the UN Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) in 
Colombia, told a news conference that the spraying of small plots of 
coca in poor rural areas was not just ineffective but "inhuman".

He queried Colombian and US claims of pinpoint accuracy of the aerial 
spraying which has wiped out almost 130,000 acres of coca crops. 
Peasant groups and indigenous Indian communities complain that the 
spraying has hit legitimate crops and caused health problems among 
local residents and livestock.

Colombian and US officials insist that the main chemical used, a 
common herbicide, Roundup, has no known harmful side-effects. But in 
view of the complaints, Mr Nyholm said international, neutral 
verification was needed.
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