March 1, 1996
Web posted at: 4:40 p.m. EST
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Clinton administration penalized six countries Friday for what it called the failure to cooperate in the U.S. war on drugs.
Colombia was denied certification as a cooperating nation. But Mexico, which had been mentioned as a possible candidate for de-certification, was instead named a fully cooperating ally in the anti-drug effort.
By law, the president must decide which of some 30 countries with drug-trafficking problems are eligible for certification. Those denied certification are denied most direct aid from the United States and all U.S. Export-Import Bank financing.
Those denied certification also include Afghanistan, Burma, Iran, Nigeria and Syria. All but Colombia were denied certification last year.
Colombia reacted to the U.S. announcement by issuing a statement calling it "unacceptable," and saying the United States was meddling in Colombia's internal affairs.
But most U.S. aid to Colombia is for drug eradication and seizure, and that money -- $70 million -- is exempt from the ban on aid.
Colombia's de-certification came in the wake of a heated debate within the administration over whether to penalize the world's largest supplier of cocaine.
Some fear that denying Colombia substantial direct and indirect U.S. aid through the certification process will jeopardize cooperation Colombia is giving the Unite States in the war on drugs.
Last year, Clinton sharply criticized Colombia's efforts to stem the flow of drugs from its country, but stopped short of issuing economic sanctions. Instead he issued a "vital national interest" waiver, in effect, putting the country on notice that its anti-narcotics efforts do not meet U.S. standards.
Lebanon, Paraguay and Pakistan received waivers this year.
Peru and Bolivia, which received waivers last year, were fully certified this year. Other governments certified include Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Taiwan, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam.
In his first day on the job, White House Drug Policy Director Barry McCaffrey called Clinton's decision to grant certification to Mexico "correct and courageous."
Despite recent criticism of Mexico's efforts, McCaffrey said its senior political and military leadership have demonstrated their "absolute commitment" to combat the drug problem in Mexico, one of main ports of entry for drugs into the U.S.
While declining to comment directly on Clinton's decision to de-certify Colombia, McCaffrey, who was sworn into his new position Friday, praised those in Colombia who are cooperating with the United States. (281K AIFF sound or 281K WAV sound)
"There are a lot of people in Colombia who have directly confronted this criminal empire," he said. "We have great sympathy and admiration for them."
Speaking with CNN in an interview shortly after the State Department announced the certifications, McCaffrey said the list recognizes "those who are going to work with us in the years to come. This is not a problem of the North American people. This is a problem of the region. We're going to have to hang together."
McCaffrey, who resigned Thursday as a four-star Army general, added that the term "war on drugs" is inadequate to describe his new responsibility.
"Wars are straightforward," he said. "You get a general and you get the resources and you have a clear-cut victory you achieve in a period of time." The anti-drug effort, he said, is more like a cancer.
Among McCaffrey's first duties will be presiding over a March 7 White House conference on drugs.
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