President George Bush of the United States has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Comm-ission (EFCC) for its role in the war against drug trafficking and money laundering, even though Nigeria is still officially regarded as a major transit country for illicit drugs by the American government.
Bush, in the 2008 country certification report entitled �Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2008� made available to THISDAY, however said a country�s present inclusion in the list is not necessarily �adverse reflection� of its efforts at combating illicit drugs or level of cooperation with the US.
Nigeria is the only African country on the list of 20 major countries that transit or produce illicit drugs released by the US government yesterday.
The other countries are Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Colombia, Dominican Rep-ublic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.
Specifically on Nigeria, the American President said “Nigeria has made progress on many narcotics control and anti-money laundering benchmarks. There is reason to be hopeful. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has seized millions in the proceeds of crime, anti-money laundering efforts have been successful, and Nigeria is cooperating with the international community to improve its efforts against money laundering even more.�
He however pointed out that �still necessary are procedural reforms to streamline extradition procedures. For many narcotics criminals no sanction is more effective than the fear they could face a court and jail time in the countries to which they have trafficked narcotics. Nigeria should also re-double its efforts to use its frequent apprehension of street criminals and couriers to identify and prosecute major drug traffickers.�
Nigeria remains certified, for the next one year, as a country that is making serious efforts at fighting the drug scourge and the country stands to reap economic and political benefits from the US because of this status.
The EFCC, in concert with other regulatory stakeholders, got Nigeria removed in 2006 from the dreaded Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list of Non-cooperative Countries and Territories (NCCTs).
Enforcement of anti-money laundering regulations by the commission had also recently resulted in the withdrawal of Nigeria from the negative advisory of the American Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the acceptance of the country into the elite Egmont Group, the global union of international Financial Intelligence Units.
Bush, in the memo, declared: �Pursuant to section 706(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228)(FRAA), I hereby identify the following countries as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries: Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.
�A country’s presence on the Majors List is not necessarily an adverse reflection of its government’s counter-narcotics efforts or level of cooperation with the United States.�
Rather, he explained, , �consistent with the statutory definition of a major drug transit or drug producing country set forth in section 481(e)(2) and (5) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), one of the reasons that major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries are placed on the list is the combination of geographical, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs to transit or be produced despite the concerned government’s most assiduous enforcement measures.
Besides, Bush said, �pursuant to section 706(2)(A) of the FRAA, I hereby designate Burma and Venezuela as countries that have failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months to adhere to their obligations under international counter-narcotics agreements and take the measures set forth in section 489(a)(1) of the FAA� I have also determined, in accordance with the provisions of section 706(3)(A) of the FRAA, that support for programs to aid Venezuela’s democratic institutions is vital to the national interests of the United States.�
While saying �President Karzai has strongly attacked damage narcotrafficking as the greatest threat to Afghanistan, one third of the Afghan economy remains opium-based, which contributes to widespread public corruption, to elicit economic growth, and the strengthening of the insurgency,� Bush noted that, �the government at all levels must be held accountable to deter and eradicate poppy cultivation, remove and prosecute corrupt officials, and investigate and prosecute or extradite narcotraffickers and those financing their activities.
�We are concerned that failure to act decisively now could undermine security, compromise democratic legitimacy, and imperil international support for vital assistance.�
According to him, �In Afghanistan, one model for success can be drawn by comparing the marked differences in cultivation between the northern and southern provinces. Several northern provinces contributed to a decline in poppy cultivation resulting from a mixture of political will and incentives and disincentives, such as public information, alternative development, and eradication. Furthermore, several northern provinces with very low amounts of poppy are well on their way to becoming poppy free.
�Despite the significant progress made in Afghanistan since 2001, the country continues to face tremendous challenges. Our struggle to win hearts and minds, while confronting the insurgency, continues to directly hinge on our ability to help the Afghan government produce visible results. We need to encourage a firm belief among the Afghan people that their national government is capable of delivering an alternative to the preceding decades of conflict. Our reconstruction assistance is an essential instrument to achieve that goal.�
Meanwhile, Bush pointed out that, �Guinea-Bissau is becoming a warehouse refuge and transit hub for cocaine traffickers from Latin America transporting cocaine to Western Europe.�
�Narcotics traffic is becoming yet another hurdle for Guinea-Bissau as it emerges from civil conflict. International donors and organizations are working to encourage and assist Guinea-Bissau in its efforts to confront organized cocaine trafficking networks that would use the country for warehousing and transshipment. These efforts are certainly appropriate and should be supported and advanced to deter illegal drug activities in Guinea-Bissau.�
He however noted that, �India has an exemplary record on controlling its licit opium production and distribution process, despite formidable challenges to its efforts. The Government of India can be correctly proud of its diligent law enforcement agencies and the introduction of high-tech methods, including “Smart Cards” for each licensed opium farmer.
According to him, �recently, Indian enforcement officials identified and destroyed substantial illicit opium poppy cultivation in areas thought to be free of illicit cultivation in the past. Indian officials will want to investigate the circumstances of this surprisingly large illicit cultivation to identify those behind this disquieting phenomenon and arrest, prosecute, and convict them.�
Sep192007