(a) whether a two day International Narcotics Strategy Meeting, sponsored by the US, was held in February this year in the Turkish Capital of Ankara and India also participated
in the meeting;
(b) if so, the main issues discussed at the meeting; and
(c) the details of the decisions taken therein to prevent smuggling of narcotics?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE ( SHRI GINGEE N. RAMACHANDRAN )
(a) Yes, Sir. The Regional Counter Narcotics Strategy Meeting,
which was organized by the Turkish National Police and the
United State Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), was held
in the Turkish capital Ankara on 5-6 February, 2002.
(b) The main issue discussed was to evolve a strategy to
counter drug trafficking and control issues with
particular reference to the current and potential drug
trafficking situation in and from Afghanistan in view of its
changed political situation.
(c) Some specific recommendations/ decisions taken in the
meeting to prevent smuggling of narcotics were
(i) evolving
Information Sharing Systems against traffickers,
(ii) tightening control on precursor chemicals used for
manufacturing of heroin,
(iii) encouraging Afghanistan to
adopt the UN Convention of 1988 on Illicit Trafficking,
(iv) resource commitment on training and equipment,
(v) establishment of a floating committee,
(vi) to identify
and target drug trafficking organizations through collective
efforts and
(vii) to step up interdiction at borders and
particularly target precursor movement.