Page:Title 3 CFR 2000 Compilation.djvu/371

 Other Presidential Documents India is the only licit opium producing country with a notable diversion problem. However, the exact extent of this diversion is unclear. India has had an elaborate and expensive-to-maintain system in place to counter this threat of diversion for years, and India took important additional steps to avert diversion this year. For example, to discourage diversion of licit opium, the GOI raised prices paid to farmers, and added other incentives for higher yields. The GOI also threatened stiff penalties for those con- victed of diversion. Licit opium diversion controls expanded in 1998-1999 and have been continued in 1999-2000. Still, credible reports suggest that diversion may have increased during the \177998-\177999 growing season de- spite GOI actions. Although India is taking adequate steps to prevent sig- nificant diversion, there are additional measures India could take to im- prove its control regime. The GOI has not yet agreed to USG suggestions to undertake a comprehensive joint licit opium yield survey, which would provide a firmer scientific basis for the GOI to set Minimum Qualifying Yields (MQY) for farmers. Setting these yields correctly, by region, helps limit diversion. /amaica Jamaica is a major transit point for South American cocaine en route to the United States as well as the largest Caribbean producer and exporter of marijuana. During \177999, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) made progress towards meeting the goals and objectives of the \177988 UN Drug Convention. At regional meetings, GOJ officials actively supported counter-drug initia- tives. Bilateral counter-drug cooperation is good and improving. In the area of maritime law enforcement, Jamaican forces continued to participate in combined operations under the U.S.-Jamaica bilateral maritime agreement. In March 1999, Jamaica took an important step in its effort to create an anti-money laundering regime which meets international standards by amending the \177996 Money Laundering Act to require the reporting of sus- picious transactions. However, further amendment to the law is required to address the critical issue of money laundering in relation to the proceeds of other serious crime. The GOJ has stated that, as a first step, it has drafted amendments to the money-laundering act that will add fraud and firearms offenses as predicate offenses. The GOJ is in the process of establishing a financial analysis unit to identify money-laundering activities, but has not yet provided staff for the unit. Jamaica's current asset forfeiture regime does not permit the GOJ to take full advantage of the forfeiture mechanism to augment the resources of its anti-drug agencies and deprive criminals of the proceeds of their crime. Current law requires the conviction of a criminal drug defendant prior to commencing a forfeiture action. In \177999, Par- liament passed legislation permitting the GOJ to enter into agreements with other governments to share assets confiscated from drug traffickers and other criminals. The GOJ enacted a Precursor Chemicals Act and has budg- eted for implementation of chemical controls. In late \177999, the GOJ intro- duced a bill in Parliament establishing drug courts; the bill passed both houses and now awaits the Governor General's signature. Transparency International and other organizations have reported that corruption is viewed as a grave problem in Jamaica--drug trafficking adds to the problem. The GOJ's anti-corruption legislation, introduced in Par- liament in \177998, passed the House and Senate in different versions; a com- promise bill is currently being crafted by a joint select committee of Par- 37\177

�