Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–3, Documents on Global Issues, 1973–1976

145. Telegram 644 From the United States Mission to the United Nations at Geneva to the Department of State¹ ²

New York, February 10, 1973, 1100Z

Subj:

• CND-26th Session-January 22-February 9, 1971

1. From US point of view most important action taken by 25th CND was recommendation that ECOSOC establish regional Sub-commission on illicit traffic for Near and Middle East and that steps be initiated looking toward regional cooperation against illicit traffic in the Far East and South America. Main credit for these developments goes to Ambassador Kirca of Turkey, O’connor of Australia who named Chairman of FE Ad Hoc Committee and Lorenzio of Argentina who took lead in their respective regions. US del kept low profile in public meeting but played active supportive role in each case. One discordant note was statement by Afghan observer that his government had not yet authorized him state RGA would participate in Near and Middle East Subcommission. This prompted Pakistan and Turkey state that participation of their govts would depend on participation by other governments of area.

2. Although all of these resolutions adopted with substantial majorities, discussions revealed apprehension on part some dels that establishment such subsidiary bodies undermine CND’s authority. Mexican del formalized these concerns in a draft resolution calling for reversal of ECOSOC decision that CND should meet biennially in favor of annual sessions. Mexican del told us privately that resolution’s primary objective was to thwart proposals for regional sub-commissions. Those who supported Mexican proposal, as well as many of those who inclined go no further than decide on special sessions in 1974, expressed concern that under international conventions CND has responsibilities which recur annually and that in any event world drug crisis made annual consideration of illicit traffic, patterns of drug abuse and review of UNFDAC necessary. As a result, periodicity of CND meeting will be discussed as topic of “high priority” at the 1974 session. The SYG’s statement on the reorganization involving DND and UNFDAC precipitated further discussion of the role of the CND. Several delegations professed themselves surprised by the announcement, resentful of what they regarded as a “fait accompli” and perplexed that there was no mention of the Commission’s role in relation to the fund. In light of this US withheld contribution of $1 million. Earlier in the session the Commission had an extensive and constructive debate on the UNFDAC’s program and priorities with all speakers supporting the fund and its management and activities. Many accorded Ambassador Schurmann high praise for his work. The Eastern Europeans who in the past opposed the fund were silent.

3. The CND adopted a resolution (27–0–3) which invites the WHO to provide more adequate drug abuse epidemiological information than is currently available. We consider the resolution, which was co-sponsored by 14 delegations, to be a major step in developing improved drug abuse information for use by the CND. Debate was vigorous and extended with sentiment almost uniformly positive. Only USSR, Hungary and India abstained, largely because of budgetary considerations.

4. Separate resolutions introduced by Turkey and Sweden called upon governments to ratify the psychotropics convention and the single convention amending protocol. Majority of members indicated they considering ratification. Turkey, however, stated it would not ratify amending protocol until major psychotropic manufacturing countries become parties to psychotropic convention.

5. US del led discussions with Secretariat and in Commission resulting in consensus on guidelines and procedures for moving ahead or simplification of governments’ annual reports on their implementation of drug treaties. Discussion of illicit traffic was obviously of most interest to members, with over 60 members and observers participating in debate it covered more meetings than any other subject. In addition to resolutions on regional cooperation, ECE, at US instigation, agreed to re-examine TIR convention in light of abuse for drug smuggling. Of interest was Swiss statement that Switzerland undertook to expand international cooperation particularly regarding disclosure of funds derived from illicit traffic deposited in Swiss banks.

6. Under efficient, businesslike chairmanship of US Rep Ingersoll, CND meeting for first time with expanded membership (24–30), plus unprecedented number of observers was able to complete its work within tight time schedule and without resort to night sessions.

7. Commission agreed that high priority items for consideration at next session are: illicit traffic, drug abuse, UNFDAC, report of INCB, form of annual reports, poppy cultivation under properly controlled conditions so as to meet the world requirements of opium for medical and scientific purposes (proposed by Belgium and endorsed by India) scientific research and periodicity of meetings of CND.

8. PRC observer del was present at and closely followed all CND proceedings but spoke only once to same effect as earlier at ECOSOC.

9. Steps ahead-CND members caught unaware by Sec Gen’s reorganization of UNFDAC and division expressed annoyance at timing of announcement, reserved their govts’ positions and urged ECOSOC discussion. Debate in Council will cover such themes as administrative costs, role of the Commission and the division and need for new intergovernmental machinery to check power of the Exec Director (Pakistan and India). Some members of division staff very unhappy with diminution, as they see it, of division’s role and expressed their frustrations openly to USDel and others. ECOSOC will also be faced with a number of CND resolutions which we favor but which could evoke controversy, principally on financial grounds, and we will need to plan strategy in the Council to ensure their adoption by substantial majorities. Among these are resolutions recommending establishment of ME Sub-commission on illicit traffic, recommending FE Preparatory Committee to look into need for similar mechanism to promote cooperation against illicit traffic in FE, and resolution calling for special CND session in 1974. We will also want to consider in next few weeks how we will follow up in WHA the successful effort here to engage more of WHO’s resources in the drug abuse control effort.

While only referred to openly in debate by Turkey, supported by Mexico, the tendency of LDCs to gear their own willingness to act on the single convention and its amending protocol to DCS performance on psychotropic convention ratification is emerging. Early US Ratification of latter would, of course, bring this trend into line.

Rimestad

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SOC 11–5. Limited Official Use. Repeated for information to Buenos Aires, London, and the United States Mission to the United Nations in New York. “Division” refers to the Division on Narcotic Drugs, the section of the UN secretariat that provided support for UN drug control functions.
2. The telegram summarized negotiations at the 25th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.