Lebanon welcomes Clinton's decision on drugs
Lebanon, Politics, 11/12/1997

Lebanese authorities have welcomed a decision by the United States to remove Lebanon and Syria from a list of major-drug producing countries. U.S. President Bill Clinton on Monday announced the decision to delete Lebanon and Syria from the list, citing Lebanese efforts to crack down on the hashish growing which flourished during the chaotic days of the 1975-90 civil war.

"I have removed both countries from the major list this year and have placed them on the watch list, with the understanding that they will be once again listed as major illicit drug producers or transit countries, should the evidence warrant," Clinton said in his letter to Congress published by Lebanese newspapers.

Foreign Minister Fares Bouiez welcomed the initiative, saying, "It was the right decision." He acknowledged, however, that eradicating drug production completely was unrealistic.

Hashish cultivation in Lebanon thrived during the war years, particularly in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The post-war government, however, with the help of Syrian troops, has effectively managed to eradicate drug production in the Syrian-controlled region.

UNDP Coordinator Ross Mountain expressed hope that the U.S. decision will lead to "international support to improve living conditions" in the region, where farmers have been threatening to return to drug cultivation for lack of funds for alternative crops.

Sheikh Sobhi Toufeili, a Shiite Muslim cleric staging a "hunger revolt" in the Bekaa, said the U.S. decision was of no importance. "We give this decision no importance at all because the list is worthless in the first place, as is their list of terrorist countries," he said. "Why should America decide who is a drug producing or a terrorist country?"

Previous Stories:
  Lebanon and Syria off the list of drug producers   (11/12/1997)
  Security sweep in Hermel   (10/25/1997)
  Campaign against drugs, alcohol   (9/23/1997)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search