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

191. Minutes of the Working Group of the Cabinet Committee on International Narcotics Control¹ ²

Washington, February 10, 1976, 11 a.m.

The Working Group was attended by the participants listed on Tab A (attached) to consider the proposed agenda items listed in the February 2, 1976 memorandum by which the meeting was called (attachment B).

A. The Mexican Eradication and Enforcement Program

Ambassador Vance summarized the present status of the eradication and interdiction program in Mexico. It is clear that the use of herbicides definitely is working, all equipment and manpower needed from the United States has been provided and is there, and the Mexican organization for the campaign is improving. The expectation is for vast improvement over the results last year, although we can only be sure several months hence. It is estimated that there is but a very low percentage of incision prior to eradication. The Mexican authorities apparently now clearly recognize that the campaign must be a year-long endeavor.

He noted, however, that the interdiction campaign leaves much to be desired. He had suggested the use of sniffer dogs in connection with road blocks, and how urged the concerned Washington agencies to see what could be done, urgently.

Commissioner Acree and Mr. Hann spoke to the uneven experience that they had had with trained Custom’s dogs in Mexico. Mr. Hann noted that the Front Royal dog handler training Facility was available and could take Mexican trainees at almost any time.

In connection with dogs, Ambassador Vance referred to the possible excess of DOD narcotics dogs in Bangkok, expressing the hope that DOD would be agreeable to some arrangement whereby some could be left with Thai authorities.

Dr. Jones was interested in obtaining samples of sprayed pods from Mexico. It was left that he would get together with DEA on this.

Mr. Bensinger spoke of the theft of four kilos of seized heroin from the Federal Judicial Police installation in Culiacan. Others who had visited there concurred that security was lax at that installation on seized materials. It was agreed that DEA should follow up on this directly with the Attorney General’s office.

Commissioner Acree noted that the Director General of the Mexican Customs would be in Washington the first three days of March. Negotiations of the US/Mexican Customs Cooperation Agreement would then be pursued, as well as would other matters of mutual concern.

Ambassador Vance referred in this connection to our undertaking to intensify our aircraft control activities on the U.S. side of the border and to share relevant information with Mexico. He also referred to the agreement with Ojeda Paullada for the preparation of similar questionnaires for use in interrogation of arrestees, and expressed his hope that they were being drawn up expeditiously.

B. The Creation of an Advisory Group to the CCINC to Parallel the Group Being Created in Mexico.

Mr. Parsons explained the background of the Echeverria letter to President Ford. As to how we might proceed here, he was inclined to believe that the best response would be through revitalizing the Strategy Council on Drug Abuse, adding Mr. Cannon (Domestic Council), the Secretary of Treasury and the head of the NSC staff to it, and then augment its coordinative responsibility to include the international treatment and enforcement sectors and, specifically, relating to the Mexican structure proposed by Echeverria. Owing to problems presented by the Advisory Committee Act, and other considerations, it was felt best not to envisage formal Congressional or private sector representation in the structure. Rather, there would be ad hoc meetings with representatives of those groups. This expanded Strategy Council would have an Executive Working Group consisting of the principal staff persons of the Strategy Council members, and possibly a smaller executive group at the senior staff level would also be constituted. The latter would meet periodically with its Mexican counterpart.

C. Special Programs Aimed at Cocaine Traffic Interdiction and Reduction of Coca Production

Ambassador Vance was pleased to report he found during his recent trip that the Governments of Peru and Bolivia both evince a real interest in moving towards placing coca production under control. Studies to determine alternate sources of income were beginning to move ahead. As to the special projects (‘Kitchen’ and ‘Funnel’), “Kitchen” was moving along but “Funnel” had been delayed owing to local government failure to sign project agreements, which is holding up procurement of equipment.

Mr. Bensinger cited some positive results of the Kitchen operation.

Mr. Cusack felt that perhaps it had been too much to attempt “Kitchen” and “Funnel” at the same time.

It was agreed that appropriate Embassies would be asked again to persuade local governments to sign the needed project agreements.

With respect to Colombia, Ambassador Vance explained the background developments (Lopez-Ford meeting, et al) leading to a $50 million assistance request received from Colombia. Not only did this vastly exceed available resources but there was no evidence that the Colombian request had been based on serious program planning. At best we might be able to make $8–10 million available during the next two years. Our present thinking is to propose to send a specialist team down to Colombia to focus on the program to determine in what way increased assistance to Colombia might be made worthwhile and effective. We were concerned not only with the equipment requests but also the apparent decision of the Colombian Government to use the military as the prime coordinating instrument. This raised the question of possible diversion of any assistance to non-narcotics use. In all there were a number of serious questions to be addressed regarding the Colombian request. Nevertheless, there is a favorable sign that the Government of Colombia is anxious to do more.

Commissioner Acree noted that cocaine interdiction by Customs continues high. Owing to a tougher Customs stand, the Gran Colombiana Steamship Lines had taken very dramatic measures to control use of its fleet by traffickers. This apparently caused the cocaine smuggling to divert from the fruit ships to sugar boats.

Mr. Kennedy referred to the discussions at the Caracas Coordinators Conference in November and Deputy Assistant Secretary Luers undertaking to send a message to Latin American posts on the question of the commitment of resources on the basis of the Mission’s program. After some discussion of this matter, Ambassador Vance noted that the message that Assistant Secretary Rogers was expected to dispatch, together with the NCAP reports, would probably meet the needs in this connection.

Commissioner Acree added that, in addition to cocaine, marihuana seizures continued to be very high, especially from Colombia.

Ambassador Vance spoke to the very great concern about U.S. marihuana policy he had found on the part of foreign officials during his recent Latin American trip. This confirmed that the White Paper had been generally read to mean that the United States was taking a softer line on canabis. He had explained matters carefully to foreign officials during his trip so that they would have a correct understanding and would be most certainly doing it repeatedly at the upcoming meeting of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs this month.

Mr. Johnson undertook to distribute to the members of the group the latest statement that President Ford had made against the decriminalization of marihuana.

D. Progress of Task Force on APO Mail

Mr. Graff noted that we may expect an opinion of the DOD General Counsel to be distributed shortly. This was likely to indicate that military judges could, on the basis of probable cause, issue warrants for the opening of suspect mail. The Postal Service is understood to disagree.

Ambassador Vance felt that the Department of Defense should precede, leaving the Postal Service, if it really disagreed, to make the challenge.

Mr. Graff said there was concern in that case that the Postal Service would cancel its agreement with DOD, leaving the military with the option of no postal service or the need to start one completely on its own.

After some discussion, it was agreed that it would be appropriate to seek the Attorney General’s opinion should, as expected, the DOD and Post Office views continue to diverge. Mr. Giuliani noted that if the Attorney General’s opinion supports the Department of Defense it would make the Post Office ‘more comfortable in going along’.

In connection with legal matters, Ambassador Vance noted the establishment of a CCINC Sub-committee on Extradition and Treaty tatters. It would study methods of strengthening extradition arrangements and improving procedures followed under them. It would also address the use of evidence obtained in Country A by the judicial authorities of Country B.

E. Progress in Development of U.S. Position and Initiatives for the Fourth Special Session of the U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs

While this item was listed, it was skipped over in the discussion owing to consideration of it in an interagency meeting on a prior day.

F. Congressional Relations Items

The legislative situation in respect to the Mansfield amendment, prohibiting U.S. personnel from engaging in any police action in any foreign country with respect to narcotics control efforts, was broadly discussed. DEA representatives expressed hopes that the House will not have a similar provision in its bill and that the amendment will be dropped in the Conference Committee.

Mr. Bensinger saw broad effects of the language beyond DEA, possibly even involving crop eradication and income substitution programs.

Commissioner Acree noted that Customs Service was likely to be involved since it had officers abroad engaged in pre-clearance work. DOD likewise saw itself as affected.

It was agreed that a sub-group would be set up to coordinate the position and tactics that should be taken in order to attempt to preclude enactment of the Mansfield amendment in an undesirable form, and Ambassador Vance asked Mr. Ernst to follow up on this.

(Note: Subsequent to the meeting, Mr. Johnson indicated that he thought Mr. Parsons, who had left the meeting early, might wish to be the point of coordination. He later advised that Mr. Parsons wanted to have the matter coordinated by OMB).

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, INM/P Files, Lot 84 D 147, Cabinet Committee–Working Group. Limited Official Use. The meeting took place in room 1207 in the Department of State. Drafted by Ernst. Attached but not published at Tab A is a list of participants. Tab B has not been found. Echeverría’s letter to Ford is published as Document 188.
2. The Working Group discussed aspects of the Mexican situation, cocaine trafficking and coca production reduction, APO concerns, and items relating to congressional action.