Source: San Jose Mercury News Contact: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 Website: http://www.sjmercury.com/ Author: JODI ENDA, Mercury News Washington Bureau U.S. and Venezuela unite to fight against drug trade Clinton offers aid, information in deal to halt trafficking CARACAS, Venezuela Striving to stem the flow of cocaine that passes through Venezuela from Colombia to end up on U.S. streets, President Clinton agreed Monday to help this nation crack down on drug trafficking and money laundering. In his first stop on his first trip to South America, Clinton tipped his hat to a nation that provides the United States with more oil than any other country. He gave Venezuela a lot of warm fuzzies in English and Spanish. ``Todo está chevere en Venezuela,'' Clinton said, using slang to indicate that everything is ``cool'' here. Noting that he is the first foreign leader to speak from the hallowed tomb of Simón Bolívar, the 19th century liberator of this and other South American countries from Spanish colonial rule, Clinton praised Venezuela for playing a key role in the ``quiet revolution'' that has left Cuba the only dictatorship in the hemisphere. Moments earlier, he had placed a large wreath at Bolívar's grave. But while he flattered Venezuelans for their political and economic progress austere measures have tamped down inflation and increased production he said that a ``great challenge remains to make these forces work to the benefit of all our people.'' One overriding menace, he said, is drugs. Clinton joined forces with the Venezuelan government against what he deemed a shared enemy that threatens the security of both countries. Throughout the Americas, Clinton said, ``drugs threaten the very fabric of civil society. They destroy lives. They spread violence to our streets and playgrounds. They corrupt and kill law enforcement officials. They create instability that can sweep across borders.'' Drugs, Clinton said during a signing ceremony with President Rafael Caldera at the elegant Miraflores Palace, ``are our common problem, and we must fight back together.'' Under the new Alliance Against Drugs, the two countries agreed to swap intelligence, target criminal organizations and step up educational programs designed to quell demand for narcotics. They also will share customs information to prevent money laundering and smuggling. And the United States will provide about $11.5 million to Venezuela in antidrug training and equipment, including airplanes, boats and communications gear. Though drugs aren't produced in great quantity in Venezuela, the problems remain palpable, said Gen. Barry McCaffrey, director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy. More than 100 metric tons of cocaine passed through Venezuela last year, and about half of it ended up in the United States, he said. Official corruption is rampant in Venezuela, the judicial system needs overhauling, and the country is a major center for laundering drug money, according to the White House. >From Venezuela, Clinton flew to Brazil, the second stop on his weeklong visit to South America, which also includes Argentina.