David Concar

Deputy Editor

New Scientist

VIA FACSIMILE: +44-171-331.2777

New York, February 27, 1998

Dear Mr. Concar,

We would like to thank you very much for you fax of February 26, and for the information contained in it. We have contacted Mr. Pillippe Stroot at WHO, the 1997 Report in availabe on their website (www.who.org), while the controversial background paper, which according to them is not a public document, is sent only upon request.

During a briefing on the UNGA Special Session on Narcotic Drugs held at the UNHQ in New York yesterday, quoting your article, we raised the crucial question of opinions vs. facts on drug-related issues. INDCB's response to such criticism was elusive and they denied your allegations.

It is Thanks to publications like yours that the UN "truth" on narcotic substances can be unveiled and counter-argued especially on the eve of the UNGA Special Session on Narcotics of June. In this regard, we have taken the liberty to send you via mail a briefing paper on the UNGASS, as well as some literature about our general position on the issue.

Hoping to hear from you soon, we will continue to read the New Scientist with great interest. Best regards and good work.

Truly yours,

Marco Cappato Marco PerDuca

UN Representative

David Concar

Deputy Editor

New Scientist

151 Wardour Street,

London W1V 4BN

Great Britain

New York, February 28, 1998

Dear Mr. Concar,

As stated in our fax of February 27, we are pleased to enclose a briefing paper on the UN General Assembly Special Session on Narcotic Drugs, our interventions at the Vienna preparatory body of the June event, a brochure on TRP, a booklet on our antiprohibitionist position on drugs as well as a 3-year activity report on the issue.

As an NGO in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN, we are trying to disseminate as much counter-information as possible, and are also trying to present our viewpoint in national or international fora. In this regard, we are planning to convene a panel discussion during the 3-day session focusing on political alternatives as well as on scientific data. It will be our care to keep you update about this initiative.

We fear that at this Summer's Special Session, the United Nations will miss the opportunity to take into consideration different approaches to the 'War on Drugs'.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon, we send you our best regards.

Sincerely,

Marco Cappato Marco PerDuca

UN Representatives