FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
FCO DAILY BULLETIN - WEDNESDAY 30 DECEMBER 1998
- NEW FOREIGN OFFICE FUNDS TO FIGHT HEROIN SMUGGLERS IN THE BALKANS - CYPRUS: MISSILES
NEW FOREIGN OFFICE FUNDS TO FIGHT HEROIN SMUGGLERS IN THE BALKANS
The Foreign Office today announced #320,000 additional funding for a joint UN/EU project that will help countries on the main heroin routes through the Balkans in their fight against the heroin trade. The project is aimed at strengthening the anti-narcotics capabilities of law enforcement agencies in South Eastern Europe. The first phase of the project will focus on Bulgaria, Romania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Foreign Office Minister Tony Lloyd said:
"The drugs trade is a global menace, causing untold misery to individuals and communities in Britain and around the world.
Most of the heroin sold on Britain's streets is smuggled into Europe through the Balkans. Our contributions to this project will help train and equip police and customs officers to intercept drugs smugglers and bring to justice the criminal gangs behind this evil trade."
Notes for Editors
1. The UN Drugs Control Programme and the EU are cooperating in the #4.43m project.
2. Britain has already contributed approximately #500,000 to the project through the EU. Today's additional funding will enable UNDCP to acquire essential communications equipment without which the project cannot start. The UK was the second largest donor in 1997, contributing #5m.
3. 95% of the heroin on the streets of Britain comes from South West Asia (principally Afghanistan). The main overland trafficking route to Western Europe is through the Balkans. Drug traffickers also increasingly use ports on the Black Sea and Adriatic Coasts to smuggle drugs from around the world.
4. In April 1998, the UK Anti-Drugs Coordinator (the "Drugs Czar"), Keith Hellawell, published the White Paper "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain". A key element of the strategy contained in the White Paper is to develop partnerships with the countries where drugs are produced or trafficked in order to reduce the flow of illegal drugs into Britain. This contribution forms part of the Government's wider strategy for helping countries in South Eastern Europe tackle the problem of drug smuggling.
5. Additional information on the UK's international drugs effort are included in the FCO publication "Tackling Drugs: the UK's International Strategy" and the Government White Paper "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain". Both are available on the FCO website (http://www.fco.gov.uk).
Press Officer: Nev Johnson: 0171 270 3103
CYPRUS: MISSILES
Foreign Secretary Robin Cook yesterday issued the following statement:
"The Prime Minister and I warmly welcome President Clerides' announcement earlier today not to bring S300 missiles to Cyprus. This decision is a significant contribution to international efforts - in which Britain played a prominent part - to reduce tensions in the region. It also helps create the conditions necessary for securing a just and lasting political settlement to the Cyprus problem.
As the Prime Minister's statement of 23 December made clear, we remain committed to supporting actively Kofi Annan's efforts to reduce tensions further and to work for a comprehensive political settlement. It is essential both he and his Deputy Special Representative are given the fullest possible cooperation from both sides."
Press Officer: Charles Hay: 0171 270 3106 # = pounds sterling
