STATEMENT BY THE AMBASSADOR YUJI IKEDA

Permanent mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, Head of the Delegation of Japan to the Fortieth Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, 18-27 March 1997

Thank you, Mr.Chairman,

I would like to begin my statement today by congratulating all members of the Bureau on their election to office and by assuring them of the full support and cooperation of my delegation. I am confident, Mr.Chairman, that under your able guidance this session will prove itself most productive and successful.

Mr. Chairman,

Firstly, let me explain how my Government perceives the global situation of drug abuse problem.

We have observed recently the worrisome increase of illicit manufactur, trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. We have seen these trends crossing borders and expanding into developing as well as developed countries. The situation is further worsening as the Drug Cartels are turning to new trafficking routes, new types of drugs and precursors and increasingly sophisticated methods of production to evade prosecution.

In the light of this alarming situation throughout our society, I would urge all States to make a concerted effort, based on the common understanding of the importance in addressing this global issue. We need to share the burdens and responsibilities with a view to further developing and strengthening international cooperation in drug control.

In the Golden Triangle, the surrender of the Khun Sa, who had long dominated drug business in this region, and the readiness of the WA people to declare this region as an opium free zone demonstrate how successful these joint efforts can be. The UNDCP has just proposed an important project in this region, to which Japan has already expressed its readiness to support, and I believe such project deserves favorable consideration by donor countries.

In the Golden Crescent, illicit cultivation of opium poppy remains a serious problem, particularly in Afghanistan. The clandestine manufacturing of heroin, along with the illicit cultivation of opium poppy, have expanded into Central Asian countries.

With respect to the former Yugoslavia, where the national institutions and infrastructure are now being reconstructed, the expeditious establishment of public safety and security is the most important precondition for the process of reconstruction. Such reconstruction must be accompanied by introducing timely drug control policies. We must ensure the prevention of the restoration of the former "Balkan" route of illicit trafficking by re-establishing anti-drug law enforcement institutions and appropriate judiciary systems in the region.

Mr.Chairman,

Among various emerging major drug issues, we take note with particular concern that abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants is spreading at an alarming speed throughout the world. Since the end of World War II, Japan has observed an increasing number of abuse case of these stimulants, which reached a very high level in Japan today. It is likewise regrettable that in the course of the past few years, the abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants has also spread rapidly in South-East Asia, North America and Europe. We are all concerned about the magnitude of the abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants, which is becoming a fromidable threat to the international community in next century.

In this connection, we appreciate the work initiatied by the UNDCP on the control of amphetamine-type stimulants as well as the important achievement made at the Shanghai meeting on this subject last November, which produced useful recommendations on the comprehensive countermeasures against the abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants, for the international community to tackle this global issue. I hope that these recommendations will be further developed into a more appropriate format for the Member States to implement, and such recommendations be endorsed by the 1998 Special Session of the General Assembly. Japan together with other like-minded countries such as Austalia, China, Italy, Spain and the United States, has decided to submit a draft resolution regarding the "Implementation of Comprehensive countermeasures against illicit manufacture, trafficking and abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants and their precursors" in order to ensure the appropriate implementation of the recommendations of the Shanghai Expe

rt Meeting.

Mr.Chairman,

We are all too aware that illicit transaction of drugs by sea is increasing throughout the world. In this regard, the Japanese government highly welcomes that in the framework of Training and Technical Assistance Progrmme on Maritime Law Enforcement, the UNDCP has developed the draft guide for such training. I am pleased to announce that Japan is going to host a seminar called the UNDCP Regional Seminar on Maritime Cooperation in Yokohama, this autumn. I would like to invite all countries in Asia and the Pacific to participate in this important seminar in which the UNDCP draft guide will be used. I would like to reaffirm Japan's full commitment for the success of this seminar. We believe that this project on maritime cooperation is both an efficient and excellent example of multilateral collaboration and will greatly assist the governments concerned in implementing the provisions of the drug conventions. Japan together with the United States Government, has decided to submit a draft resolution on the commend

ation of the UNDCP Pilot Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Project, in order to promote efficient multilateral cooperation.

The Japanese delegation would greatly appreciate the valuable support of the members of the CND for both of these solutions.

Mr.Chairman,

My Government also believes that "drug profiling/signature analysis" should be further developed as a means of assisting law unforcement by providing valuable information pertaining to drug sources and to newly established trafficking routes and distribution patterns.

As for the legalization of the non-medical use of drugs, my Government notes with much concern that those States that have experienced a wide-spread expansion in drug abuse, tend to introduce legalization of the non-medical use of drugs, for example, by prescribing heroin to heroin addicts.

As a consequence, these States cannot implement the obligations under the Conventions that prohibit non-medical use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substance. If the legalization is promoted by some countries, then the efforts of many other States who are engaged in strengthening drug control in compliance with the international conventions will be jeopardized. Therefore, my delegation strongly opposes the legalization of the non-medical use of drugs.

Mr.Chairman,

Many Governments have stressed the importance of international cooperation on drug control, especially the important role the UNDCP is expected to play. However, we have observed with concern the decline of the general-purpose contributions which have been straining UNDCP's administrative and backstopping capabilities with regard to technical cooperation projects, including such areas as research, planning, coordination and evaluation.

In this regard, I wish to note with appreciation that the UNDCP has undertaken a number of initiatives to mobilize the additional general-purpose fund, responding to the resolution of the last session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs concerning the concept of ownership of the UNDCP, which aims at increasing the general-purpose contributions in order to maintain and strengthen the capabilities of the UNDCP as a global centre of expertise on drug issues. My Government increased its general purpose contribution for 1996 in support of these efforts by the UNDCP. We wish to encourage other countries to join us in providing a timely, positive response to the important appeal made by the UNDCP for general-purpose funding. With these further consolidated general-purpose resouces, the UNDCP will be able not only to strengthen its backstopping capability, but also to initiate flexibly and in a timely manner, important projects such as those for Myanmar and Afghanistan.

The 1998 Special Session of the General Assembly on international combat against drugs, which is mandated to review the implementation of the 1988 Convention and the Global Programme of Action in order to identify further necessary action, will cerainly be an important opportunity to mobilize political impetus for further strengthening the universal campaign against the drug abuse problem. My Government is fully prepared to ensure the success of the 1998 Special Session. My Government also hopes that the Special Session will be able to produce concrete and practical recommendations that can be fully implemented by the Member States in order to alleviate the drug abuse problem.

Before concluding, I should also like to inform the Commission that the Drug Abuse Prevention Center, a non-governmental foundation of Japan, has contributed 500.000 dollars for 1997 to UNDCP following their successful campaign entitled "No, Absolutely No! (Dame! Zattai!)" to reduce demand for narcotic drugs and stimulants. This is in addition to a similar amount that they contributed over the last three years. Given the proven success of this annual campaign, my delegation urges other countries to take up similar types of campaigns to enhance public awareness on the importance of the reduction of illicit demand for drugs. This campign could also result in a steady increase of contributions to the UNDCP.

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Thank you Mr.Chairman