Washington, Feb 27: Citing gains in Colombia's war on drugs, the US Government has decided to waive two-year old sanctions against that country, government officials said today.Waiver of the sanctions means that there will be fewer impediments to US assistance to Colombia's anti-drug efforts. Colombia also will be spared economic penalties for the coming year.
The officials spoke hours before the public release of formal administration evaluations of the anti-narcotics performances of 30 foreign countries.
Most of the 30 were expected to be ``certified'' as fully cooperating with US anti-narcotics efforts. The officials, asking not to be identified, said the administration has decided to recertify Mexico, ignoring the objections of many in Congress.
The administration is not certifying Colombia as fully cooperating because officials believe that country's anti-narcotics effort faces serious shortcomings. Colombia remains the world's leading producer and distributor of cocaine and a major supplier ofheroin and marijuana.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
