International

Bush puts India, Pak. in drug trafficking list
By Sridhar Krishnaswami

NEW YORK, FEB. 26. In the annual assessment of global trafficking in narcotics, the U.S. President, George W. Bush, has put India and Pakistan in the list of 23 major illicit drug producing and transiting countries. But the two escape punitive measures for complying with international counter-narcotics measures and agreements.

Mr. Bush has notified Congress that Myanmar has ``failed demonstrably to make substantial efforts'' to abide by international accords and, therefore, under domestic law will be ineligible to receive assistance from the United States, excepting on the humanitarian front.

The President has also identified Haiti and Afghanistan as nations that have failed in their anti-narcotics and trafficking activities. However, citing the ``national interest'' clause, Mr. Bush has exercised a waiver that will allow continued American assistance to these two nations.

In a statement issued by the Press Secretary, assistance may be provided ``only if the President determines and reports to Congress that provision of such an assistance to these countries is vital to the national interests of the United States, notwithstanding their counter-narcotics performance''.

Apart from Myanmar, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan, other nations in Asia that have been identified are China, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos.

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