ReconsiDer Tidbits

U.S. Loses Seat on U.N. Drug Policy

by DAFNA LINZER
Associated Press Writer

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- In another embarrassing blow, the United States lost its seat on an international drug monitoring body on the same day it was voted off the U.N. Human Rights Commission, U.N. and U.S. officials confirmed Monday.

The United States had campaigned for a third term for U.S. Ambassador Herbert Okun, who has served as vice president on the International Narcotics Control Board. But he was voted off Thursday in the same secret-ballot procedure and by the same countries that cost the United States it's seat on the human rights commission.

''That, we find, very regrettable,'' U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in Washington on Monday. ''We intend to continue our engagement on the international narcotics issues. We'll continue our cooperation with and strong support for the U.N. international drug control program as well as with the International Narcotics Control Board.''

The 13-member International Narcotics Control Board monitors compliance with U.N. drug conventions on substance abuse and illegal trafficking.

The 54-member U.N. Economic and Social Council, the main U.N. body responsible for economic and social issues, cast secret ballots in both votes Thursday.

The 70-year-old Okun served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations between 1985-1989 and has been on the narcotics board since 1997.

The board deals with aspects of legal and illegal drug control, including monitoring government controls over chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of drugs. It also assists in preventing the diversion of those chemicals into illicit traffic and identifies weaknesses in drug control systems.

AP-NY-05-07-01 1413EDT<